In 1996, a study conducted at Brunel University College in England examined the comparative effects of "relaxing" versus "stimulating" music on grip strength. Subjects in this study showed higher grip strength after listening to "stimulative" music (M = 43.94 kg.force) than after sedative music or a white noise control condition. (Interestingly sedative music yielded lower scores than white noise).

Male subjects had higher grip strength than women, but there was no interaction between gender and music condition.