Affiliations: School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial
University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada | Institute for Sports and Sport Science, University of
Kassel, Kassel, Germany
Note: [] Address for correspondence: David G. Behm, School of Human
Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's,
Newfoundland, Canada, A1C 5S7. Tel.: +1 709 737 3408; Fax: +1 709 737 3979;
E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: The objective was to determine whether specific types and volumes of
sounds affect driving-related tasks. Participants completed six trials while
exposed to different sound types (hard rock, classical music and industrial
noise) and volumes (53 versus 95 db (A)). Participants executed a randomized
order of tasks, involving: movement (MT), reaction time (RT), simulated driving
(SimD), and non-conscious perception of masking stimuli. The results suggest
high volumes impaired SimD, RT and MT. During hard rock music, accommodation HR
was significantly higher whereas male RT was slower than female RT. However, RT
was enhanced when subjects were exposed to hard rock music during a
non-conscious task of longer duration. SimD crashes increased during quiet hard
rock music in comparison to quiet industrial noise. Experimental HR was lower
during quiet sound volumes for both genders. In summary, loud volumes affect
simple vigilance whereas hard rock music may affect tasks involving
concentration and attention especially with males.
