**Summary: **Researchers have shown that adaptive music systems that adjust tempo and rhythm to match a user’s movement can make exercise significantly more enjoyable and motivating. These personalized interactive music systems use real-time data from wearables to keep music aligned with walking, cycling, or weightlifting intensity, helping users stay in rhythm and maintain effort.

A systematic review across 18 studies found consistent improvements in mood, motivation, and performance when people exercised with adaptive music compared to non-adaptive tracks. The findings suggest these technologies could meaningfully support long-term physical activity—an important goal in combating global inactivity-related health issues.

Key Facts

• Real-Time Adaptation: Music tempo and rhythm adjust instantly to match user movement, boosting motivation.
• Enhanced Experience: Participants reported greater enjoyment and willingness to continue exercise with adaptive music.
• Performance Boost: Faster music tempos were linked with stronger benefits in sustaining effort.

**Source: **University of Jyväskylä

Researchers from University of Jyväskylä have found that personalized interactive music systems – smart technologies that adapt rhythm and tempo to users’ movements – can make exercise more enjoyable and help people stay active longer.

These systems, known as PIMSs, use real-time data from wearables and smartphones to adjust musical features such as beat, tempo, and style to match the user’s pace – whether walking, cycling or lifting weights.

For example, when the systems detects you speeding up, it raises the music’s tempo to match your energy – helping you stay motivated and in rhythm.

This new systematic review and meta-analysis is the first to examine how interactive, adaptive music can influence both exercise performance and emotional experience. Participants who exercised with adaptive music reported more positive feelings and greater motivation during their workouts — in other words, they enjoyed exercising more.

The findings also show that faster music tempos were linked with greater benefits, supporting the idea that matching music to movement can help sustain effort and improve performance.

“Music has always been a motivator for movement. By personalizing it in real time, we might better support people in sustaining exercise routines,” says Dr. Andrew Danso, lead author from the University of Jyväskylä’s Centre of Excellence in Music, Mind, Body and Brain.

The review analysed results from 18 studies across Europe, Asia, and North America, highlighting the growing potential of adaptive music systems in making physical activity more engaging and sustainable.

The study suggests these technologies could play a key role in encouraging people to stay active — an important step in addressing global health challenges linked to physical inactivity.

Key Questions Answered:

Q: What are personalized interactive music systems (PIMSs)?

A: They are smart music technologies that adjust tempo, rhythm, and style in real time based on a user’s movement, using data from wearables and smartphones.

Q: How do these systems improve exercise?

A: By synchronizing music to movement, they boost motivation, enhance enjoyment, and help people sustain physical effort for longer.

Q: What did the new meta-analysis find?

A: Across 18 studies, adaptive music increased positive feelings during exercise, improved performance, and showed stronger effects with faster tempos.

About this neurotech, music, and exercise research news

**Author: **Reetta Kalliola **Source: **University of Jyväskylä **Contact: **Reetta Kalliola – University of Jyväskylä **Image: **The image is credited to Neuroscience News

**Original Research: **Open access. “Personalized Interactive Music Systems for Physical Activity and Exercise: Exploratory Systematic Review and MetaAnalysis” by Andrew Danso et al. JMIR Human Factors

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Abstract

Personalized Interactive Music Systems for Physical Activity and Exercise: Exploratory Systematic Review and MetaAnalysis

**Background:**Personalized Interactive Music Systems (PIMSs) are emerging as promising devices for enhancing physical activity and exercise outcomes. By leveraging real-time data and adaptive technologies, PIMSs align musical features, such as tempo and genre, with users’ physical activity patterns, including frequency and intensity, enhancing their overall experience.

**Objective:**This exploratory systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of PIMSs across physical, psychophysical, and affective domains.

**Methods:**Searches across 9 databases identified 18 eligible studies, of which 6 (comprising 17 intervention arms) contained sufficient data for meta-analysis. Random-effects meta-analyses and meta-regression were performed to assess outcomes for physical activity levels, physical exertion, ratings of perceived exertion, and affective valence.

**Results:**Results showed significant improvements in physical activity levels (g=0.49, CI 0.07 to 0.91, P=.02, k=4) and affective valence (g=1.65, CI 0.35 to 2.96, P=.01, k=4), with faster music tempo identified as a significant moderator (P=.03). No significant effects were observed for ratings of perceived exertion (g=0.72, CI −0.13 to 1.58, P=.10, k=3) or physical exertion (g=0.78, CI −0.55 to 2.11, P=.25, k=5).

**Conclusions:**Substantial heterogeneity and limited study quality indicate the need for more robust, randomized controlled trials to establish the efficacy of PIMSs in diverse populations.