Sept. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Musical training may be good for the heart, according to an Italian study in next month's issue of the journal Heart, which showed that musical tempo, rather than style, is the greatest stress reducer.

Faster music and more complex rhythm speed up breathing and circulation, whether it's classical or techno, according to Luciano Bernardi, a physician at the University of Pavia in Italy. Slower or more meditative music has the opposite effect, with raga creating the largest heart-rate drop.

``Appropriate selection of music, by alternating fast and slower rhythms and pauses, can be used to induce relaxation and reduce sympathetic activity, and so be potentially useful for cardiovascular disease,'' Bernardi said in his study. ``It may be viewed as an alternative technique of relaxation or meditation, without involving the active participation of the subject.''

Passive listening to music initially induces arousal in line with the tempo, while slower rhythms or pauses induce calm, Bernardi said. Other studies have shown that music can reduce stress and improve athletic performance, movement in neurologically impaired patients and milk production in cattle.

Bernardi based his findings on various aspects of breathing and circulation in 24 young men and women, taken before and while they listened to musical excerpts. Half of those taking part were trained musicians, who had been playing an instrument for seven years. The remainder had had no musical training.

Random Music

Each participant listened to short tracks of different types of music in random order, for two minutes, followed by the same tracks for four minutes. The researchers randomly inserted a two- minute pause into each sequence.

The faster the music, the greater was the degree of physiological arousal. During a pause the arousal indicators fell below those registered before the participants started to listen to any of the tracks. Music thus gives pleasure and perhaps create a health benefit as a result of this controlled alternation between arousal and relaxation, Bernardi said.

The music included classical Indian music called raga by Debabrata Chaudhuri, Ludwig van Beethoven's slower Adagio from his 9th Symphony, Antonio Vivaldi's faster Presto from his Estate Concerto, slow dodecaphonic music by Anton Webern called Zart Bewegt, rap song ``The Power of Equality'' by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and techno music ``You Spin Me Round'' from Gigi D'Agostino.

To contact the reporter on this story: Chantal Britt in Stockholm at cbritt@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: September 28, 2005 19:01 EDT