We predict that teenagers will have higher heart rates than adults when listening to music, and that fast, energetic music such as HEAVY METAL will raise heart rates in both groups. This prediction is supported by research on the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), which regulates involuntary functions such as heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, digestion, and overall homeostasis. The ANS has two primary divisions: the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), responsible for the “fight-or-flight” response, and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), responsible for “rest-and-digest” functions. When high-intensity music with a fast tempo, loud volume, and strong rhythmic patterns is played, it can stimulate the sympathetic nervous system. This stimulation triggers the release of adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline from the adrenal glands, which increases heart rate, breathing rate, blood flow to muscles, and alertness. In contrast, slower and more structured music, such as classical music, is associated with activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. Through the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and signals carried by the vagus nerve, the parasympathetic system slows heart rate and promotes relaxation.

Scientific research indicates that music tempo, intensity, and sound characteristics directly influence cardiovascular responses. Studies involving high school students have shown that heart rate increases after listening to fast-paced, high-energy music and decreases after listening to slower classical pieces. Heavy metal music, which is characterized by distorted electric guitars, rapid drum patterns, amplified sound, and intense vocals, creates strong auditory stimulation that can significantly activate the sympathetic nervous system. Additionally, teenagers generally have slightly higher resting heart rates than adults due to developmental and hormonal factors. Younger individuals may also have a more reactive nervous system, leading to stronger physiological responses to stimulating sounds. Based on this neurological and physiological evidence, HEAVY METAL is expected to produce the highest heart rate in both teenagers and adults compared to calmer genres such as classical music.

Background Information:Music is a universal art played and listened by many. It organizes sounds through elements such as rhythm which is the pattern of beats, melody which is a sequence of single notes  and harmony which is the combination of all/different types of notes played and sung together. The way music correlates with your heart rate is its psychological mechanisms being number 1 is entertainment your body naturally synchronizes its internal rhythms (heart rates and breathing rates) with external rhythms.Music also stimulates different branches of ANS(known as Autonomic Nervous System)ANS is a nervous system that controls your heart rate, breathing, digestion, blood pressure your temperature and your sympathetic systems and parasympathetic systems in this experiment we will be testing with 3 different music genres being CLASSICAL,HIP-HOP AND HEAVY METAL. What Is ANS? The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is a part of your nervous system that:

• Works automatically (you don’t control it consciously)

• Controls internal organs

• Maintains homeostasis (body balance)

• It controls:❤️ Heart Rate,🫁 Breathing Rate,🍽 Digestion,👁 Pupil Size,🩸 Blood Pressure,  🧪 Gland Activity

2 MAIN DIVISIONS OF ANS

• Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) → Fight or Flight

• Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) → Rest and Digest

  The Autonomic Nervous System: * Runs automatically

  • Controls vital organs

  • Has two branches:

    • ⚡ Sympathetic → Survival mode

    • 🌿 Parasympathetic → Recovery mode

  • Uses neurotransmitters to control body functions

  • Maintains life and balance

  What Is Sympathetic System: * The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) prepares your body for: * 🚨 Danger,🏃 Running,🥊 Fighting,😨 Stress This is called the Fight-or-Flight Response.What Enables Fight Of Flight? Key Chemicals: * Adrenaline (epinephrine)

  * **Noradrenaline (norepinephrine)**
      **These are released by the adrenal glands.**
  
  * **Increase heart rate**
  
  * **Increase blood flow to muscles**
  
  * **Increase blood sugar for energy**
  
  **Your body becomes a survival machine.**
  
  
  
  | Body Part | What Happens | Why |
  | --------- | ------------ | --- |
  | ❤️ Heart | Beats faster | Pumps more oxygen |
  | 🫁 Lungs | Breathing speeds up | More oxygen |
  | 👁 Pupils | Dilate | Better vision |
  | 🍽 Digestion | Slows down | Energy saved |
  | 🧠 Brain | More alert | Quick reaction |
  | 🧪 Adrenal glands | Release adrenaline | Boost energy |
  

  Parasympathetic System:The Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) helps your body: * 😌 Relax,🍽 Digest food,😴 Sleep,🧘 Recover

  This is called the Rest-and-Digest Response. What Enables Rest Or Digest? Main Chemical: * Acetylcholine

  This neurotransmitter: * Slows the heart

  • Stimulates digestion

  • Promotes relaxation

  The vagus nerve is a major nerve that carries parasympathetic signals.

  Body Part	What Happens	Why
  ❤️ Heart	Slows down	Save energy
  🫁 Lungs	Breathing slows	Calm state
  👁 Pupils	Constrict	Normal light
  🍽 Digestion	Speeds up	Break down food
  🧪 Glands	Release saliva & enzymes	Aid digestion

  Background Information On Classical Music:WHAT IS CLASSICAL MUSIC AND HOW DOES IT CORRELATE WITH YOUR HEART RATE? Classical music is known for its complex structure, rich harmonies, and carefully organized melodies. It is commonly played using instruments such as violins, trumpets, flutes, timpani, and piano. Classical music often promotes relaxation and helps reduce stress because of its smooth and flowing sound. It is frequently used in therapeutic settings to help manage anxiety, improve focus, and promote better sleep. Classical music is usually linked with the parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the “rest and digest” system, which helps the body calm down and conserve energy. When this system is activated, breathing slows, muscles relax, and the heart rate decreases. Research suggests that listening to classical music can lower heart rate and blood pressure, showing how this type of music can have a calming effect on both the mind and the body.

  What Is HIP-HOP Music:WHAT IS HIP-HOP MUSIC AND HOW DOES IT CORRELATE WITH YOUR HEART RATE? Hip-hop music is known for its strong rhythms, beats, and spoken lyrics, and it often uses drum machines, turntables, synthesizers, and sampling technology. Hip-hop music can influence heart rate by affecting the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls involuntary body functions such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. The ANS has two main parts: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. Fast, loud, or high-energy hip-hop music can activate the sympathetic nervous system, also known as the “fight or flight” system, by releasing adrenaline. This increases heart rate and makes the body feel more alert and energized, which is why this type of music is often used during exercise or activities that require focus and motivation. In contrast, slower and more relaxed hip-hop music, such as lo-fi or mellow tracks, can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the “rest and digest” system. This helps the body relax, slow the heart rate, and return to a resting state. Research suggests that hip-hop music can either increase or stabilize heart rate depending on its tempo and intensity, showing how music can directly affect the body’s physiological response. (In this project we will be using high-energy hip-hop.) Background Information Heavy Metal:WHAT IS HEAVY METAL MUSIC AND HOW DOES IT CORRELATE WITH YOUR HEART RATE? Heavy metal music is known for its loud volume, distorted electric guitars, powerful drumming, fast tempos, and intense vocals. It often features heavy bass, double bass drum patterns, and amplified sound effects that create a high-energy and dramatic atmosphere. The strong rhythms and aggressive beats can make listeners feel energized and emotionally stimulated. Heavy metal can influence heart rate by affecting the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls involuntary body functions such as heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. The ANS has two main parts: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. Fast, loud, and high-intensity heavy metal music can strongly activate the sympathetic nervous system, also known as the “fight or flight” system. This response releases adrenaline into the bloodstream, increasing heart rate, raising blood pressure, and speeding up breathing. As a result, the body feels more alert, focused, and physically energized. This is why some people use heavy metal music during workouts or activities that require motivation and intensity. However, the body’s response can also depend on the listener. For fans of heavy metal, the music may help regulate emotions and reduce stress after the initial stimulation. Research suggests that music tempo, volume, and personal preference all play a role in how heart rate responds, showing that heavy metal can significantly influence the body’s physiological state. (In this project, we will be using high-intensity heavy metal music.)

  Genres	Main focus	Sound Style
  Heavy Metal	Rebellion	Aggressive
  Classical	Structure & Harmony	Orchestral, Instrument
  Hip-Hop	Rhythm & Lyrics	Beats+Rap Vocal

  Background Information Of Heart Rate:Heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute and is also called a person’s pulse. Monitoring your heart rate is important because it helps you understand your fitness level and heart health. Many people track their heart rate during different activities to see how their bodies react to various situations. For most adults and teenagers, the average resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm). Young teenagers often sit toward the higher end of this range because their bodies are still developing. Heart rate can change due to many factors such as physical activity, emotions, stress, caffeine, and overall health.

  How Heart Rate Changes & What Makes It Change:Adults and teenagers have an average resting heart rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute. Our heart rate constantly changes because the body adjusts blood flow to meet its needs. The heart does not beat at a fixed speed; it can go higher or lower depending on different situations. Many factors can cause these changes. For example, heart rate increases during exercise, stress, fear, or panic attacks, and decreases during rest, sleep, or relaxation. Health conditions can also affect heart rate, and certain hormones, such as thyroid hormones, can directly influence how fast or slow the heart beats. Additionally, changes in blood pressure can affect heart rate, showing how closely the heart is connected to overall body function.

• • *

Manipulated Variable: The Genre Of Music(Classical,Hip-Hop,Heavy Metal). Also Age Of Participant (an adult and teenager ages 16 and 40). Controlled Variable: Volume Of Music(50),Duration Of Listening (5 Minutes),Environment(QuietRoom),Participant Position(Sitting),Time Of Day It’s Done,Gender Of Participant. Responding Variable: Heart Rate Of Participants(measured to see effect of music).

Step 1: Seat the participant down in a quiet environment. Step :2 Track the adult and teenagers heart rate 5 minutes before conducting the experiment and record it. Step 2: We will start with placing the headphones on the participant and then play the music types one by one. Step 3: We will put the first music genre on for 5 minutes and note there heart rate after they are done listening to the music. Then we will record the data into our logbooks. Step 4: We will repeat step 3 with all 3 genres(classical,hip-hop and heavy metal) on both participants. Step 5: We will record the data and observe whether adults had more of an increasing heart rate or teenager and which genre made it go higher out of the 3.

Across all trials, a clear pattern was observed in how heart rate changed with each music genre. During classical music, the heart rate remained mostly stable for both participants, the adults heart rate increased between no change and 4 bpm, the teenagers heart rate decreased between no change and 4 bpm. These changes were minimal and stayed close to resting heart rate. In contrast, hip-hop music caused consistent increases in heart rate for both participants, with the adult’s heart rate increasing between 1 and 6 bpm and the teenager’s increasing between 3 and 8 bpm. The most significant changes occurred during heavy metal music, where heart rate increased in every trial. The adult’s heart rate rose between 7 and 21 bpm, and the teenager’s rose between 9 and 22 bpm. Overall, the data shows that as the intensity and energy of the music increased, the amount of heart rate change also increased.

The results support the hypothesis and align with research on the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). Heavy metal produced the largest increase in heart rate in both participants, with the adult increasing between 7 and 21 bpm and the teenager increasing between 9 and 22 bpm. These increases were much greater than those seen during classical music. This supports research showing that fast tempo, loud volume, and intense rhythm activate the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), which releases adrenaline and increases heart rate as part of the fight-or-flight response. Classical music caused little to no change in heart rate and even a slight decrease in one trial. This aligns with research showing that slower, structured music activates the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which slows the heart through acetylcholine and vagus nerve signaling. The teenager showed slightly higher increases than the adult during heavy metal trials, partially supporting the prediction that younger individuals may have stronger physiological responses due to developmental factors. Overall, the data shows that higher music intensity leads to greater sympathetic activation and increased heart rate.

The findings of this experiment support the original hypothesis and are consistent with established research on the Autonomic Nervous System. Heavy metal music produced the greatest increase in heart rate in both the adult and teenager, confirming that high-intensity, fast-tempo music strongly activates the sympathetic nervous system. This activation leads to the release of adrenaline, which increases heart rate as part of the body’s fight-or-flight response. Classical music resulted in minimal changes in heart rate, supporting the idea that slower, calming music activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and decreases or stabilizes heart rate. Additionally, the teenager showed slightly greater increases in heart rate compared to the adult during heavy metal trials, supporting research that younger individuals may have higher resting heart rates and more reactive physiological responses to stimulating sounds. In conclusion, this experiment demonstrates that music intensity directly influences heart rate by activating different branches of the Autonomic Nervous System. The higher the tempo and intensity of the music, the stronger the sympathetic response and the greater the increase in heart rate.

The results of this experiment would be useful because the next time you or someone else wants to know which type of music helps them feel calm, they will have an answer. This project can also help us better understand and regulate our emotions. It may help us stay focused on our studies and improve our mental health. Additionally, listening to the right music can help lower heart rate. Your science project could even be the answer to someone’s new question.

The results may have been affected by the small sample size, as only one adult and one teenage participant were tested. Pulse rate measurements may also be inaccurate due to  natural fluctuations in heart rate. External factors such as prior activity, stress, mood, or caffeine intake were not controlled and could have influenced the results. Personal preference for classical music may have affected how each participant responded. Additionally, the short listening time of five minutes may not have been sufficient to show consistent effects. This will be stuff we will fix and try next time.

https://www.forbes.com/health/wellness/normal-heart-rate-by-age/ https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/the-facts-about-high-blood-pressure/all-about-heart-rate-pulse

1. PubMed – Can music influence cardiac autonomic system? This is a systematic review showing music affects heart rate variability (ANS response). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32379689/
2. PMC (PubMed Central) – The cardiovascular effect of musical genres Shows that classical music can lower heart rate compared to silence and other music. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4906829/
3. PubMed – Cardiac autonomic regulation with classical baroque or heavy metal music Scientific study measuring how heavy metal and classical music affect heart rate regulation. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24643145/
4. ScienceDirect – Heart rate response and music rhythm/tempo Study exploring how different tempos may influence heart responses. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1744388113000728

VIDEOS CLASSICAL MUSIC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdJU5ogrPMY&list=RDmdJU5ogrPMY&start_radio=1 HIP-HOP MUSIChttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VAUDImpqGQ&list=RD7VAUDImpqGQ&start_radio=1 HEAVY METALhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr1BnVDrb10&list=RDMr1BnVDrb10&start_radio=1

We would like to acknowledge our teachers for helping us. They took the time out of their day to give us suggestions. We are thankful for our science teacher for guiding us and helping us with our errors. We would like to thank our friends for helping us with things we didn't understand or needed help with. We would like to thank each other for being so cooperative and working together. Lastly, we would like to thank you judges for listening to our presentation.