Effects of mellow and frenetic music and stimulating and relaxing scents on walking by seniors.

Previous research has yielded an inconclusive picture of the effects of music and scent on walking. Few laboratory studies have detected a beneficial effect of music; olfactory research has shown performance is positively affected for repetitive tasks but not yet on walking. The influence of these two types of stimuli in efficiency of exercise among seniors was assessed by measuring distance walked on an indoor course. Using a 3 x 3 factorial design [mellow music in 4:4 time, frenetic music in 2:8 time, and white noise by stimulating, relaxing, and control scent conditions], each of 20 volunteers from a senior center received nine randomized, 90-sec. exercise trials. Walking distance was reduced by mellow music but unaffected by stimulating music; there was no effect of scent.