Study finds that using headphones during exercise helps athletes stay focused

Dubai, 20 August 2015 – Whether it’s for taking a brisk walk, going for a bike ride or for a few laps on the running track, for many top and amateur athletes alike, their headphones are a real workout essential. A recent study of roughly 800 athletes in UK and the U.S. who engage in sports at least once or twice a month has found that staying focused is the key reason for using headphones when exercising. 

While self-motivation is clearly a key motive for headphone usage during sports, with more than half of the respondents agreeing their headphones help them stay focused, creating a personal space is another important factor. 32 per cent of the interviewees agree they put their headphones on for their workout because it enables them to listen to whatever they want and 27 per cent say they do so to block outside noise. 

The poll conducted by market research institute alegas for audio specialist Sennheiser found that nearly one third of the respondents wear headphones so they do not get bored when exercising.* As 46 per cent of the interviewees stated they were typically on their own when practising sports**, headphones seem to virtually serve as a workout buddy for some athletes – someone to help you pick yourself up and make the best of your exercise time.  

While 53 per cent of the respondents stated a secure fit as the main reason for them to prefer specialized sports headphones during their workout, special water- and sweat-resistant materials were another priority for many (39 per cent)***. “Sports headphones should be especially comfortable and easy to use. Sennheiser’s sports headphone models MX 686 SPORTS, CX 686 SPORTS, OCX 686 SPORTS and PMX 686 SPORTS are specifically tailored to these requirements: featuring slide-to-fit ear adapters, a flexible earhook securing mechanism or an adjustable headband, each model provides a well-thought-out solution to ensure a perfect fit. Moreover, by using carefully selected high-tech materials, we made sure our SPORTS headphones are water-resistant, so they withstand the rigours of any workout and can be cleaned easily”, said Daniel Chee, Product Manager Essentials at Sennheiser Consumer Electronics.

With going to the gym, exercise walking as well as jogging and running found to be the types of sports practised most frequently, the majority of respondents agreed the main purpose of their sport activities was their personal well-being and fitness (61 per cent). While about one third said they mainly engaged in sports because it gave them pleasure, only 17 per cent of the interviewees stated they did so for competitive or performance reasons.** “Recreational athletes who exercise to feel good and stay healthy want to be able to just take their headphones and go. Rugged, wired sports headphone models are a good choice here, as users can just get started whenever they feel like it without needing to bother about battery charging. Featuring tangle-free cables, the four models of the Sennheiser SPORTS headphone range ensure additional ease of use”, said Daniel Chee. 

*n=564; multiple answers possible
** n=808; multiple answers possible
*** n=120; multiple answers possible