Previous studies have shown that people tend to perceive affinities between sound and exercise when they experience music. The so-called 'motor theory of perception' claims that these equality relationships are deeply rooted in human cognition. According to the theory, in order to perceive something, we must actively simulate the movement associated with the sensory impressions we are trying to process. So, when we listen to music, we tend to mentally simulate the body movements that we believe are built into producing the sound. So our experience with a sound brings a mental picture of physical activity.

Professor Godøy:

“Music-related movement, leaves a trace in our minds and can be seen as a kind of form representation, which is closely linked to our experience of the most striking features of musical sound. Basic understanding is that images of sound producing and other sound-related movements are actively rewritten in listening and musical imagery. Hence the idea that motor theory can be the basis for the similarities between sound and exercise when we experience music.”

Music and body

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