Insights into noise and vibration stemming from the gym’s heavy lifting

In 2011, the percentage of the American population affected by Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) was 15.3%. Unlike most forms of hearing loss, this can be prevented by limiting exposure to certain magnitudes of noises for varying amounts of time. The present study, using six calibrated smartphones, aims to assess the sound given off from dropping free weights in the gym, at the University of Birmingham, which can be contributing to NIHL. A relationship between drop weight and vibration is also constructed. For vibration, it is found that vibration level (m/s²) increases with the drop weight, whereas the average noise level for each drop weight only varies by a range of 4.4 dB between 102.7 and 98.3 dB. Note that all the sound levels recorded are over 85 dB, which is the range where NIHL can be contributed to. This study reminds us that measures need to be taken to reduce the sound level from the drops of loaded barbells in any sports and fitness centers.