The effect of tennis batting sound on anxiety: a randomized controlled trial and basic acoustic analysis

PurposeTo investigate the potential role of the unique sound of tennis in alleviating anxiety. Previous research has consistently shown that exercise can mitigate anxiety, primarily attributed to the impact of increased physical activity on hormonal and neurostructural changes. However, in daily lif...

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Main Authors: Hao Wang, Geng Zhang, Xiang Li, Shihong Pu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1233599/full
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author Hao Wang
Geng Zhang
Xiang Li
Shihong Pu
author_facet Hao Wang
Geng Zhang
Xiang Li
Shihong Pu
author_sort Hao Wang
collection DOAJ
description PurposeTo investigate the potential role of the unique sound of tennis in alleviating anxiety. Previous research has consistently shown that exercise can mitigate anxiety, primarily attributed to the impact of increased physical activity on hormonal and neurostructural changes. However, in daily life we find that one of the reasons people are drawn to tennis is its distinctive sound. In this study, we specifically examined the influence of this sound on anxiety.Methods and resultsIn a randomized controlled experiment involving 96 participants reporting chronic anxiety (n1 = n2 = 48), we found that the control group exhibited an average reduction of 0.00156 in anxiety scores 4 weeks before and after the study. On the other hand, the experimental group, exposed to tennis stroke sound stimuli, showed an average reduction of 0.02896 in anxiety scores after 4 weeks, with some individuals even experiencing a decrease from anxiety to mild anxiety. Furthermore, the analysis of sound data revealed that the sound of tennis exhibited a pleasing timbre, with the primary sound frequencies ranging from 100 to 2,800 Hz. The rhythm of the sound had an average interval of approximately 1.758″ (± 0.41), corresponding to speed of approximately 93.6 km/h. The sound exhibited a steady rhythm, orderly variations in pitch, and a soothing timbre.ConclusionThis study confirms that the sound of tennis alone contributes to anxiety relief, attributed to its suitable loudness, steady rhythm, and orderly variations in pitch, all of which align with human auditory characteristics. This indicates that a considerable portion of the anxiety-alleviating effects of tennis attributed to its comforting sound.
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spelling doaj.art-ae417145b80b448c972952802333a85a2023-12-08T05:18:10ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782023-12-011410.3389/fpsyg.2023.12335991233599The effect of tennis batting sound on anxiety: a randomized controlled trial and basic acoustic analysisHao WangGeng ZhangXiang LiShihong PuPurposeTo investigate the potential role of the unique sound of tennis in alleviating anxiety. Previous research has consistently shown that exercise can mitigate anxiety, primarily attributed to the impact of increased physical activity on hormonal and neurostructural changes. However, in daily life we find that one of the reasons people are drawn to tennis is its distinctive sound. In this study, we specifically examined the influence of this sound on anxiety.Methods and resultsIn a randomized controlled experiment involving 96 participants reporting chronic anxiety (n1 = n2 = 48), we found that the control group exhibited an average reduction of 0.00156 in anxiety scores 4 weeks before and after the study. On the other hand, the experimental group, exposed to tennis stroke sound stimuli, showed an average reduction of 0.02896 in anxiety scores after 4 weeks, with some individuals even experiencing a decrease from anxiety to mild anxiety. Furthermore, the analysis of sound data revealed that the sound of tennis exhibited a pleasing timbre, with the primary sound frequencies ranging from 100 to 2,800 Hz. The rhythm of the sound had an average interval of approximately 1.758″ (± 0.41), corresponding to speed of approximately 93.6 km/h. The sound exhibited a steady rhythm, orderly variations in pitch, and a soothing timbre.ConclusionThis study confirms that the sound of tennis alone contributes to anxiety relief, attributed to its suitable loudness, steady rhythm, and orderly variations in pitch, all of which align with human auditory characteristics. This indicates that a considerable portion of the anxiety-alleviating effects of tennis attributed to its comforting sound.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1233599/fullsports psychologytennisanxietyvoicemental health
spellingShingle Hao Wang
Geng Zhang
Xiang Li
Shihong Pu
The effect of tennis batting sound on anxiety: a randomized controlled trial and basic acoustic analysis
Frontiers in Psychology
sports psychology
tennis
anxiety
voice
mental health
title The effect of tennis batting sound on anxiety: a randomized controlled trial and basic acoustic analysis
title_full The effect of tennis batting sound on anxiety: a randomized controlled trial and basic acoustic analysis
title_fullStr The effect of tennis batting sound on anxiety: a randomized controlled trial and basic acoustic analysis
title_full_unstemmed The effect of tennis batting sound on anxiety: a randomized controlled trial and basic acoustic analysis
title_short The effect of tennis batting sound on anxiety: a randomized controlled trial and basic acoustic analysis
title_sort effect of tennis batting sound on anxiety a randomized controlled trial and basic acoustic analysis
topic sports psychology
tennis
anxiety
voice
mental health
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1233599/full
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