image: Mocap markers positioning. view more
Credit: Lorenzoni et al., 2019
A study of 31 recreational weightlifters suggests that a real-time, music-based feedback system helps improve deadlift technique. Valerio Lorenzoni of Ghent University, Belgium, and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on August 28, 2019.
Sensors placed on the body can provide real-time measurements that help an individual monitor their own athletic performance or progress during rehabilitation. Known as biofeedback, this approach may be especially useful when access to a trainer or therapist is unfeasible, such as during in-home workouts.
For the new study, Lorenzoni and colleagues designed a music-based biofeedback system for helping weightlifters improve their technique while performing a weightlifting exercise known as the deadlift. A person using the system dons 22 body sensors that monitor deadlift technique. Then, they perform deadlifts while listening to music composed by the researchers. Bad technique lowers the sound quality of the music, while improved technique restores it.
To test this system, the scientists recruited 31 recreational weightlifters and divided them into two groups. One group performed deadlifts while receiving the music-based feedback, while the other group received feedback directly from instructors. For simplicity, feedback was provided for only two deadlift technique parameters.
The researchers found that both feedback types resulted in improved deadlift technique among the participants. Both resulted in similar levels of improvement, and participants reported similar levels of clarity and enjoyment for both. These findings suggest that music-based biofeedback could be a useful tool for weight training.
The authors note that future research could explore the long-term effectiveness of their new feedback system. They also suggest that the system could be improved by increasing its portability, and it could be applied to additional parameters of weight training technique.
The authors summarize: "The sonic-instructor is a music-based biofeedback system able to help people improve weightlifting technique for performance improvement and injury prevention."
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Press-only preview: https://plos.io/2KKDOZf
Contact: Valerio Lorenzoni, valeriolorenzoni@gmail.com, Ph.: +32487644656
Image Caption: Mocap markers positioning.
Image Credit: Lorenzoni et al., 2019
Citation: Lorenzoni V, Staley J, Marchant T, Onderdijk KE, Maes P-J, Leman M (2019) The sonic instructor: A music-based biofeedback system for improving weightlifting technique. PLoS ONE 14(8): e0220915. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220915
Funding: This research was conducted in the framework of the EmcoMetecca II project, granted by Ghent University (Methusalem-BOF council) to Prof. Dr. Marc Leman. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
In your coverage please use this URL to provide access to the freely available article in PLOS ONE: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0220915
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PLOS ONE