Interactive Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Music on Electrical Activity of the Heart in Non-Athletic Men

Background: The effect of exercises on the heart has been widely studied. Music can stimulate emotions as well as changes in cardiac activity. Objectives: The present research aimed to investigate the effect of aerobic training and music on the electrical activity of the heart in non-athletic men. Methods: A total of 32 non-athletic men were selected and divided into four groups (n = 8) including; (1) aerobic exercises, (2) music without aerobic exercises, (3) aerobic exercise with music, and (4) control subjects. Groups 1 and 3 only performed aerobic exercises for eight weeks, groups 2 and 3 listened to music for eight weeks, and group 4 only had their daily activities during this period. At the beginning of the study and at the end of the eighth week, the subjects’ electrocardiogram (ECG) was measured. To analyze the findings, paired sample t-test and two-way ANOVA were used at a significance level of 0.05. Results: Aerobic training had a significant effect on QRS wave increase (P ≤ 0.05). Music had a significant effect on heart rate (HR) reduction and QRS wave enhancement (P ≤ 0.05). Aerobic exercise along with music had significant interactive effects on HR reduction and QRS wave enhancement (P ≤ 0.05). However, aerobic training had no significant effect on HR (P ≥ 0.05). Aerobic exercise and music had a significant effect on PQ interval, QT interval, QTc, and P wave (P ≥ 0.05). Furthermore, aerobic exercise with music had no interactive effects on PQ interval, QT interval, QTc, and P wave (P ≥ 0.05). Conclusions: According to the results of the study, aerobic exercise with music can help improve some cardiac parameters of non-athletic men.