Intensity of arm swing exercise with music-movement synchrony in untrained young adults

Introduction The research aimed to study the intensity of arm swing exercise (ASE) with different tempi of music-movement synchrony in untrained young adults and to investigate the effect of different music tempi on heart rate and oxygen consumption. Methods Participants were 30 healthy volunteers (15 males and 15 females), 20.67 ± 1.37 years and low-to-moderate physical activity. They performed ASE synchronised with music at a tempo of 60 and 140 bpm with a random sequence. They were measured for heart rate and oxygen consumption using a Quark SPIRO (COSMED) before and after the ASE for 6 minutes of each tempo. They rested for at least 15 minutes between music tempi during the ASE. The intensity of ASE with music-movement synchrony of each tempo was calculated as a percentage of maximum heart rate (%HRmax) and percentage maximum oxygen consumption (%VO 2max ). Results The %HRmax of all participants post-ASE at 60 and 140 bpm were 58.64 ± 8.82 and 60.12 ± 8.95%, respectively. The %VO 2max of all participants post-ASE at 60 and 140 bpm were 38.65 ± 11.36 and 40.17 ± 10.71%, respectively. There was no significant difference in HR and VO2 of ASE between music tempi. Conclusions The ASE with music-movement synchrony at 60 and 140 bpm is a low-intensity aerobic exercise, so is a suitable choice for people with low physical activity. Furthermore, the faster tempo did not significantly alter the intensity, therefore, we recommend selecting the slower music tempo at 60 bpm to avoid repetitive shoulder joint injury.