As the Paris 2024 Olympics approach, a new study highlights how noise reduction can significantly enhance athletic performance.
Commissioned by Loop, the award-winning earwear brand and official partner of Team Belgium, the study evaluated the effects of noise reduction on the training and recovery routines of 63 elite Belgian athletes. Over a two-week period, athletes wearing Loop earplugs reported significant improvements in focus and sleep, resulting in enhanced overall performance.
“One thing’s clear from the study: less noise equals more greatness,” says Loop co-founder Dimitri O. “Loop earplugs are designed to reduce noise and optimize an individual’s experience of any moment. In competitive sports like the Olympics, that can be a gamechanger.”
Key Findings
- The Impact of Focus: 72% of athletes cited unwanted noise as a major obstacle to concentration. With Loop earplugs, 92% experienced increased focus, and over half reported at least a 50% improvement in focus.
- The Power of Sleep: 99% noted noise impacts sleep quality. After using Loop earplugs, 83% reported better sleep, with half noting a performance boost of at least 30%.
The Future of Earwear for Performance
The findings mean that Loop earplugs will be integral for Team Belgium at Paris 2024, which runs from July 26 to August 11, and beyond. 74% percent of athletes will use them for sleep, and 67% for focus sessions.
"Loop earplugs have been a gamechanger," says 24-year-old gymnast Noah Kuavita of Team Belgium. "By reducing excess noise, I can fully immerse myself. They’ve helped enhance my overall performance and get more from each session."
Through its partnership with Team Belgium, Loop aims to help others unlock their potential.
"Filtering out distractions and staying focused is crucial in any setting, not just sports," says Loop’s Dimitri O. "With Loop earplugs, people can create an environment conducive to peak performance and succeed in reaching their goals."
Team Belgium tested Loop Quiet 2, €19.95, and Experience 2, €29.95, loopearplugs.com.
Download all imagery here.
Noah Kuavita, Team Belgium gymnast wearing the Loop Experience 2 in Gold.
About Loop
Loop is a Belgian lifestyle brand that helps you live life at your volume through innovative and fashion-forward earwear that improves health and well-being. Like sunglasses for your ears. Belgian-born Maarten Bodewes and Dimitri O founded the company in 2016 and it’s been making waves ever since.
The New York Times has named Loop ‘the best earplugs for concerts.’ The company has sold over 10 million sets of earplugs around the world, with top sales in the US and customers in more than 150 other countries. Currently, Loop’s team comprises over 300 full-time employees, with a majority working in Antwerp and others at hubs in Amsterdam, New York and Shanghai China.
All of Loop’s products are tested extensively according to standard guidelines and practices. Loop earplugs are an officially certified form of hearing protection in line with European law covering personal hearing protection devices and personal protective equipment (PPE).
About Team Belgium
The Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee (BOIC) is the National Olympic Committee (NOC) that represents the Olympic Movement and its values in Belgium. The BOIC is an 'interfederal' non-profit organisation. The BOIC counts 85 olympic and non-olympic national sports federations as its members. Together, they represent over 24,000 sport clubs and 2,200,000 active club members.
By significantly increasing the number of Belgian athletes in the world top (Top 8) at the Olympic Games, the BOIC wants to contribute to the image of a successful country and share this success with everyone. It does so in close cooperation with the Flemish Community, the French Community and the German-speaking Community and its sports administrations: the elite sports partners in Belgium.
Press Contact
For inquiries, please reach out to:
Sayrade Vandermeersch
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