Music has helped elite tri-athletes in Australia increase their endurance by 15%, researchers say.

Synchronous music, where stride length is matched to musical tempo, can have metronomic effects on the body by allowing athletes to run for longer, they say.

Dr Costas Karageorghis and Professor Peter Terry, sports psychologists from Brunel University West London and the University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba respectively found music increased energy efficiency by 1-3%, meaning athletes could run further on the same amount of oxygen.

Their study also examined how the power of music lowers the perception of effort. Women were found to benefit more than men from the mood-enhancing effects of music.

Previous research by the team has shown that it is not only professionals, but also recreationally active people, who can gain benefits from synchronous music.