Relationship between music and sport performance: Toward a complex and dynamical perspective

Aim. The purpose of the present review consists in reporting studies examining the relationship between music and sport performance in short- and long-term efforts. Actualities. The literature clearly displays music benefits on motor and/or sport performance. Most of the studies reveal that listening to music before, during, or after effort influences psychophysiological processes of performance and/or performance itself in short- or long-term efforts. The literature also reveals that the music performance relationship is complex because it involves a great number of factors, including internal, situational, and contextual factors, which are in complex interaction, thereby affecting individuals' affective, cognitive, motivational, physiological and behavioral spheres. Perspectives. Even if the literature includes many studies supporting the view that listening to music improves performance, understanding psychophysiological mechanisms underlying the music performance relationship is still limited. Borrowing the complex and dynamical perspective proposed in the present work may shed light on mechanisms underlying this relationship. Conclusion. Although the examination of the music performance relationship is primarily a theoretical purpose, a better understanding of its mechanisms should allow building effective strategies to improve athletic performance. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.