Enhanced Subjective Performance Achievement in Wind Instrument Playing through Positive Memory Recall: Effects of Sympathetic Activation and Emotional Valence

Controlling physiological and psychological states before a performance is essential for professional musicians to realize their full potential. However, the characteristics of the optimal pre-performance state remain unclear. While an increase in sympathetic nervous system activity is typically observed before performance, when associated with anxiety, it can degrade the performance quality. This study examined whether recalling positive autobiographical performance memories enhances subjective performance achievement, accompanied by increased emotional arousal, valence, and autonomic nervous system activity. Thirty-six professional wind instrument players participated in the study. Prior to performing musical pieces, participants engaged in one of three conditions: (1) recalling positive autobiographical memories, (2) recalling negative autobiographical memories, or (3) imagining routine pre-performance activities (no-memory condition). During the memory recall phase, heart rate was measured. After each performance, participants rated their subjective arousal, valence, and performance achievement. We calculated the heart rate variability indices, specifically SD1 (reflecting parasympathetic nervous system activity) and SD2/SD1 (reflecting sympathetic nervous system activity). The results showed that performance achievement, arousal, and valence were significantly higher in the positive than in the negative condition. Our path analysis further revealed that an increase in SD2/SD1 did not directly predict performance achievement; instead, it was associated with an increase in emotional valence, which in turn led to improved performance. These findings suggest that recalling positive performance memories activates sympathetic nervous system activity and fosters positive emotions, thereby enhancing the performance achievement of professional musicians.