More than 7,000 runners who raced earlier this month in a half-marathon in London were under the influence of a scientifically designed and powerful stimulant — pop music.
The upbeat music at London's “Run to the Beat” race was chosen based on the research of sport psychologist Costas Karageorghis of Brunel University. He has learned how to design music to be as powerful, if not more so, as some of the illegal stimulant. “Music is a great way to lift spirits both before and during physical activity. A lot of athletes use music as if it's a legal drug,” Costas told LiveScience.
Costas and his team collected data during the “Run to the Beat” half-marathon, allowing them to test on thousands of live runners outside the lab. Despite strong winds and heavy rain during the event, interviews after the race suggested that the runners found the music inspiring and fun.
In the future, Costas expects a fusion of sports and music, where the crowd and the athletes are motivated by music in the race, while motivating one another. “It is beyond the music,” he said. “The music inspires team spirit. One of the key causes of motivation is the feeling of being together with one another. Having suitable music allows you to get this feeling naturally.”
The link between music and athletic performance is just one example of the amazing power that music has over our minds and bodies. Scientists also have confirmed that music improves memories, as we all have experienced, to the point where we don't even have to hear a song. We just think of it and the memories flood in. Music has also been found to relieve pain, make you smarter, and remove bad emotions.
7. What does the underlined word “upbeat” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?
A.Soft. | B.Original. | C.Positive. | D.Traditional. |
8. What is the third paragraph mainly about?
A.Why the half-marathon was held. | B.What the runners think of music. |
C.How the half-marathon was held. | D.How Costas carried out his research. |
9. According to Costas, why can music motivate people in sports?
A.It relieves physical pain. | B.It improves people s memory. |
C.It removes the effect of drugs. | D.It makes people feel being in a team. |
10. What can be the best title for the text?
A.How Music Has Changed Us | B.The Amazing Power of Music |
C.How Music and Sports Affected Each Other | D.Music Contributes to a Successful Marathon |