Effects of Self-Selected Motivational Music During Warm-Up on Time- of-Day Variations in Anaerobic Performance Among Female Handball Players

This study examined how self-selected music during warm-up influences time-of-day (TOD) effects on short-term maximal performance in female handball players. Eighteen female athletes (age: 16.16 ± 0.38 years, height: 1.67 ± 0.9 m, BMI: 20.28 ± 3.2 kg/m²) completed eight randomized sessions under two warm up conditions: with (Yes-MUS) or without (No-MUS) listening to self-selected motivational music, at four distinct times of day (08:00, 11:00, 15:00, and 18:00). A minimum recovery period of 48 hours was provided between sessions. During each session, oral temperature (OT), countermovement jump (CMJ), medicine ball throw (MBT), 20-meter sprint (20m-ST), and Illinois agility test (IAT) were recorded. The findings indicated that OT and all physical performances improved from 08 :00h to 18:00h (all p < 0.001). The amplitude of diurnal variation was attenuated in the Yes-MUS condition for CMJ (5.7% vs. 2.3%), MBT (13% vs. 6.6%), 20m-ST (5.9% vs. 3.3%), and IAT (7.1% vs. 4.7%) compared to No-MUS. Likewise, OT variation remained unchanged across conditions (both 3.2%). Compared to No-MUS condition, performance improvements under the Yes-MUS were significant at all times : 08:00 (all p < 0.001), 11:00 (CMJ, MBT: p < 0.01; 20m-ST, IAT: p < 0.001), 15:00 (CMJ : p < 0.01, MBT : p < 0.05, 20m-ST : p < 0.001, IAT : p < 0.001), and 18:00 (CMJ : p < 0.05, MBT : ns, 20m-ST : p < 0.05, IAT : p < 0.01). These findings suggest that self-selected motivational music during warm-up blunts diurnal performance variations and enhances anaerobic capacity in female athletes, particularly during suboptimal morning hours. Listening to music during warm-up may be an effective strategy to counteract diurnal declines in performance and optimize training outcomes among female athletes.