Noise levels in fitness classes are still too high: evidence from 1997-1998 and 2009-2011.
Fitness instructors routinely use high music volumes that may be harmful to hearing. This study assessed noise levels during 35 low-intensity and 65 high-intensity fitness classes in 1997-1998 and 2009-2011. Questionnaires examined instructors' and clients' preferred music volumes and whether they found loud music "stressful" or "motivating." Noise levels in 1997-1998 and 2009-2011 were similar, frequently exceeding 90 dB(A). Although noise levels in low-intensity classes dropped from 88.9 to 85.6 dB(A), they remained high for high-intensity classes, averaging 93.1 dB(A). In 2009-2011, instructors preferred significantly higher volumes than clients for high-intensity classes. In both time periods, about 85% of instructors found loud music motivating, whereas about one fifth of clients found it stressful. The results suggest that noise exposure from fitness classes, particularly high-intensity classes, continues to pose a potential risk to hearing.
a National Acoustic Laboratories , Macquarie University , New South Wales , Australia.
Elizabeth Francis
EF
Beach
Valerie
V
Nie
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D020446:Fitness Centers / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006306:Health Surveys; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult