The Symphony of Sports: How Headphones and Music Shaped Professional Athletics

The union of sports and music has been a transformative one. This symbiosis came to light with the image of an athlete wearing headphones, lost in a world of rhythm and melody, blending the physical rigors of sport with the emotional depth of music. This blog post will delve into the history of using headphones and music in professional sports and the subsequent evolution of headphone technology, focusing on ergonomics and usability. We begin our journey with an athlete named Willie Banks and his trusty Walkman.

Willie Banks: Setting the Rhythm

American triple jumper Willie Banks, an Olympian and world record holder, is known to be the first professional athlete who used a Walkman and headphones during his sporting events in the early 1980s (1). Banks would listen to upbeat tunes before his jumps, utilizing music to elevate his performance. He discovered that his performance rhythm synced with certain music rhythms, a practice that eventually got the crowd involved in his performance.

Science Lends its Voice

Following Banks' innovation, scientific research soon started corroborating the benefits of music in enhancing sports performance. Costas Karageorghis, a renowned sports psychologist, has conducted extensive research, highlighting that music can reduce the perception of effort, increase endurance, and promote optimal arousal (2).

Evolution of Headphones: From Walkmans to Wireless

As the practice of athletes listening to music began to gain momentum, technological advancements also accelerated. In the '80s and '90s, athletes grappled with bulky Walkmans and wired headphones. Enter the new millennium, and we saw the advent of iPods and Bluetooth headphones, significantly enhancing usability for athletes.

One notable product was the Motorola S9 Bluetooth headphones, released in 2007. These headphones were ergonomically designed with a secure fit, and they were sweat and water-resistant, making them a favourite among athletes (3).

Advancements continued, with brands such as Jaybird, Jabra, and Beats by Dr. Dre introducing headphones with improved ergonomics, secure fits, and better sound quality, specifically designed for athletes (4). Modern headphones also offer features like active noise cancellation, ambient sound mode, and customisable sound profiles.

Athletes and Headphones Today

Today, professional athletes across all sports are seen using headphones. From Michael Phelps' conspicuous use of headphones during the 2016 Olympics (5) to tennis players warming up with their favourite tunes, the trend is ubiquitous (6).

Notably, companies now offer athlete-endorsed headphones, with sports stars like LeBron James and Serena Williams promoting Beats by Dr. Dre (7). These partnerships highlight the critical role that music and headphones play in professional sports today.

The Future: Tailoring Music to Athletes

The future of music in sports is expected to move towards customisation. Technological advancements might allow the creation of custom playlists that sync with an athlete's heart rate and other physiological indicators, optimizing their performance.

References

Footnotes

1. Brand, S. (2018). Legends of the Sport: The Impact of Willie Banks. North Charleston, MileSplit CA.
2. Karageorghis, C.I., & Priest, D.L. (2012). Music in the exercise domain: a review and synthesis (Part I). International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 5(1), 44-66.
3. Motorola. (2007). Motorola S9 Bluetooth Active Headphones [Press release].
4. Chiou Wen-Ko, et al. (2013). Surveying the comfort perception of the ergonomic design of bluetooth earphones. Work (IOS Press), 49(2).
5. Cork Gaines (2016). Michael Phelps had to cover all the logos on his Beats headphones after missing one early in the Olympics. Business Insider.
6. Jordan Gains Lewis (2016). The Neuroscience of Getting "In The Zone". Research Matters.
7. Beats by Dr. Dre. (2018). Beats by Dr. Dre — Powerbeats Pro — Unleashed [Video]. YouTube.

Ergonomics of Airport Carpets

Since quite some years I used to capture a shot of those beautiful, exceptional, tasteful, sometimes disgusting carpets you can experience when arriving at a new airport destination.

I collected my carpet captures under #airportcarpet on Facebook. - Check it out at: https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/airportcarpet. And, as you can see, I am not the only one fascinated by airport carpets.

I was always surprised what was there to see. And weighing different pros and cons I was not always sure if a carpet is truly the best option for an airport terminal interior design.

But, what is the ergonomic point of view?

Ergonomics is the study of how people interact with their environment, including the design of products and systems to improve comfort and safety. In the context of airport carpets, ergonomics refers to the ways in which the carpet can be designed and maintained to reduce fatigue and strain on travelers' bodies.

One way that airport carpets can contribute to ergonomic comfort is by providing a soft, cushioned surface to walk on. Hard, smooth floors can be tiring and painful to walk on for long periods of time, especially for people with foot or back problems. A well-cushioned carpet can help to reduce the impact of each step and make walking more comfortable.

Another aspect of ergonomics in airport carpets is the design of the carpet itself. A good airport carpet should have a smooth, even surface with no sharp or raised edges that could trip or stumble travelers. The carpet should also be easy to navigate, with clear visual cues to help people find their way around the airport.

In addition to the design of the carpet, the maintenance of the carpet is also important for ergonomic comfort. A dirty or poorly maintained carpet can be slippery and difficult to walk on, leading to an increased risk of falls and injuries. To maintain the ergonomic comfort of airport carpets, it is important to regularly clean and vacuum them to remove dirt and debris, and to repair any tears or damage as soon as they are discovered.

Overall, the ergonomics of airport carpets are an important consideration in the design and maintenance of these spaces. By taking into account the needs and comfort of travelers, airports can create a more pleasant and enjoyable experience for all who use them.