A new study by Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, confirmed that people tend to stick to a ‘natural’ pace that minimizes physical exertion while running or walking, and won’t change that pace unless otherwise motivated. The only motivational cue they found that dramatically affected a runners pace was auditory—runners who heard a strong rhythmic beat would increase their pace and continued to move faster than usual for an extended time to keep time with the music. Want to increase your speed? Fill your playlist with up-tempo music.