Acoustic Environment and Noise Exposure in Fitness Halls

People seek health and leisure in gyms and fitness halls. In this study, interior acoustics including reverberation time (<i>T</i>) and activity noise levels were studied in 20 indoor sports and gymnasium (IS & G) halls in Amman, Jordan. Interviews and questionnaires were also applie...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Omaimah Ali Al-Arja
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-09-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/18/6349
Description
Summary:People seek health and leisure in gyms and fitness halls. In this study, interior acoustics including reverberation time (<i>T</i>) and activity noise levels were studied in 20 indoor sports and gymnasium (IS & G) halls in Amman, Jordan. Interviews and questionnaires were also applied to assess the subjective comfort levels of the acoustic environment in these IS & G halls. The measured values were correlated with the subjective evaluations. The range of measured <i>T</i> values was 1.09–5.38 s. The activity noise level, which was measured with L<sub>A,eq</sub> over 50 min of activity, ranged between 80.0 and 110.0 dB(A). The average personal noise exposure for instructors was 92.6 dB(A), ranging from 81.0 to 108.0 dB(A), whereas 90% of the measurement results were above the occupational exposure limit (OEL) of 85.0 dB(A), and 40% of instructors were potentially exposed to excessive noise levels. The subjective rating of listening conditions correlated significantly with the reverberation time rather than noise level (<i>p</i> < 0.01). In conclusion, the results from this study show that noise levels generated in the studied IS & G halls present a possible workplace noise hazard. Raising awareness of the risk of hearing problems among instructors working in IS & G halls is highly recommended.
ISSN:2076-3417