Dissertation committee:
-Ελισσάβετ Ρουσάνογλου, Καθηγήτρια Αθλητικής Βιομηχανικής, ΤΕΦΑΑ - Σχολή Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής και Αθλητισμού Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών (Επιβλέπουσα Καθηγήτρια)
-Αναστασία Γεωργάκη, Καθηγήτρια Μουσικής Τεχνολογίας Τμήμα Μουσικών Σπουδών – Φιλοσοφική Σχολή Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
-Κωνασταντίνος Μπουντόλος, Καθηγητής Αθλητικής Βιομηχανικής ΤΕΦΑΑ - Σχολή Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής και Αθλητισμού Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
-Βασιλεία Χατζητάκη, Καθηγήτρια Κινητικού Ελέγχου ΤΕΦΑΑ - Σχολή Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής και Αθλητισμού Αριστοτέλειο Πανεπιστήμιο Θεσσαλονίκης
-Ηλίας Ζώης, Αναπλ. Καθηγητής Ψηφιακής Εικόνας και Βιομετρικής Ταυτοποίησης Τμ. Ηλεκτρολόγων & Ηλεκτρονικών Μηχανικών Σχολή Μηχανικών Πανεπιστήμιο Δυτικής Αττικής
-Μαρία Κοσκολού, Αναπλ. Καθηγήτρια Εργοφυσιολογίας ΤΕΦΑΑ - Σχολή Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής και Αθλητισμού Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
-Αθανάσιος Μουρατίδης, Επίκ. Καθηγητής Στατιστικής Επεξεργασίας Ποσοτικών και Ποιοτικών Δεδομένων στη Φ.Α. και Αθλητισμό ΤΕΦΑΑ - Σχολή Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής και Αθλητισμού Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών
Summary:
Rhythmic auditory stimuli (RAS) are widely used in exercise and sports to regulate movement timing, either through music or vocal instructions from coaches. Temporal guidance is crucial for controlling movement speed, as it directly impacts the stimuli the body receives and, consequently, its biological responses. While evidence suggests that RAS can enhance motor control and performance, there is limited understanding of how the neuromuscular system uses auditory information to improve performance. Moreover, few studies focus on the impact of RAS on neuromuscular control during the execution of movement patterns used in exercise programs. This study aimed to examine the effect of various RAS used for temporal guidance on spatiotemporal, kinematic, kinetic, and time-dynamic performance, as well as on muscle and brain activity during exercise. The study focused on fundamental fitness exercises commonly included in exercise programs. Two sub-studies were conducted.
The first study examined the number of repetitions and preferred rhythmic temporal performance in a variety of physical fitness exercises. Fifteen men and fifteen women performed eight exercises (two-legged hop, forward lunge, squat, sit-up, shoulder abduction, hip abduction, back extension, and push-up). Inertial sensors captured angular velocity trajectories, and temporal variables were analyzed (movement frequency, cycle and phases durations). The results showed that two repetitions are sufficient for high reliability. Differences in preferred movement frequency between exercises were attributed to factors such as inertial load and specific demands. However, a consistent 1:1 phase relationship indicated a common centrally produced pattern for rhythmic performance, regardless of the movement pattern and its frequency. The second study examined the effect of different RAS on temporal, kinematic, kinetic, muscle, and brain activity, as well as sensorimotor synchronization during two fundamental exercises: the squat and hip abduction. These exercises were chosen for their biomechanical complexity. Twenty men and twenty women performed the exercises under five RAS conditions (no RAS, metronomic, vocal, melodic music, and exercise music) in synchronization with the RAS. The impact of RAS was evaluated on timing, kinematic, and kinetic (only for the squat), center of pressure, muscle, and brain activity. Synchronization was assessed through cycle matching, variability, and timing error magnitude and direction. The RAS significantly influenced spatiotemporal and neuromuscular control parameters, highlighting their potential to improve motor performance and coordination. Different RAS types impact various aspects of motor performance and brain activity. Notably, exercise music induced significant changes in multiple parameters, while metronomic and vocal cues enhanced motor performance without major changes in brain activity. Employing different RAS provides opportunities to enhance motor control and performance in exercise programs.
Keywords:
motor entrainment, rhythmic acoustic cues, motor performance, tempo, synchronization, stability
