Measures of Respiration in Trained Singers Versus Normal Speakers

1. Measures of Respiration in Trained Singers Versus Normal Speakers Hope Lorenz

2. Introduction • Three Physiological Systems Required for Voice Production • Respiratory • Phonatory • Resonation • Voice Evaluation Includes Measures of… • Vital Capacity • Maximum Phonation Time

3. Previous Research • Normative Values • Vital Capacity • Males – 4180 to 4800cc • Females – 3010 to 3500 cc • Maximum Phonation Time • Males – 24.6 to 31.6 seconds • Females – 20.9 to 24.6 seconds • Ptacek, et al. (1966), Awan (2001), Rau and Beckett (1984), and Shanks and Mast (1977

4. Previous Research Continued… • Factors Which Influence Vital Capacity and Maximum Phonation Time • The best method for eliciting maximum phonation time is the combination of verbal instructions with a full model of the task (Soman, 1997). • Measures of vital capacity and maximum phonation time do not fall within normal ranges for individuals who smoke (Awan & Alphonso, 2007) • Increased age is associated with decreased performance in vital capacity and maximum phonation time (Awan, 2006) • Height most strongly predicts measures of vital capacity (Parma et al., 1996)

5. Previous Research Continued… • Impact of Vocal Training • Singers have slightly higher measures of vital capacity than wind instrumentalists and normal speakers (Schorr-Lesnick, Teirstein, Brown, & Miller, 1985) • A retrospective study compared vital capacity and maximum phonation time of trained singers with normative data and found no significant difference between the two (Carroll et al., 1996)

6. Purpose • Singers are trained to effectively use respiration for phonation • Suggests singers may be able to sustain phonation for longer than normal speakers • Limitations of previous studies • Retrospective • Impact of smoking • Impact of height

7. Research Questions • Is there a difference in vital capacity in trained singers versus normal speakers? • Is there a difference in maximum phonation time in trained singers versus normal speakers?

8. Participants Trained Singers Normal Speakers • 18-23 years old • 10 vocal majors • At least 1 year formal vocal training at collegiate level • Exercised average of 2.4 times per week • 2 Freshman, 2 Sophomores, 3 Juniors, 3 Seniors • No history of smoking • In good health • Average Height = 64.40 inches • 19 to 22 years old • 6 CDS majors, 2 elementary education majors, 1 English major, 1 marketing major • No previous vocal training • Exercised average of 3.4 times per week • 6 Seniors, 4 Sophomores • No history of smoking • In good health • Average Height = 64.40 inches

9. Measurements • Vital Capacity • Measured with a Spiropet dry spirometer • Standing with good posture, blow air into handheld device • Repeatable measures within 10% • Maximum Phonation Time • Measured using the Visipitch IV • Standing with good posture, continue to phonate /a/ as long as possible • Repeatable measures within 10%

10. Correlation Between Maximum Phonation Time and Vital Capacity Vital Capacity (in cc) Maximum Phonation Time (in seconds) The correlation between maximum phonation time and vital capacity was r = .24; p = .29; indicating the two measures were not significantly correlated.

11. Maximum Phonation Results • No significant difference in maximum phonation time between groups • Both groups lower than past norms • Maximum Phonation Time Norms • Females – 20.9 to 24.6 seconds • Ptacek, et al. (1966), Awan (2001), Rau and Beckett (1984), and Shanks and Mast (1977)

12. Vital Capacity Results • Vital capacity significantly higher in normal speakers; p = .02 • Trained singers lower than past norms • Normal Speakers within past norms • Normative Values • Vital Capacity • Females – 3010 to 3500cc • Ptacek, et al. (1966), Awan (2001), Rau and Beckett (1984), and Shanks and Mast (1977)

13. Discussion of Unexpected Results • Why was vital capacity significantly lower for trained singers than the control group? • Why was maximum phonation time lower for singers than controls (although not significantly) and why were both groups lower than past norms? • What factors may have influenced these results?

14. Influence of Major • Communication Disorders and Sciences Majors: • Understanding of task possibly skewed results

15. Influence of Exercise Each Week

16. Influence of Years of Vocal Training

17. Discussion • Clinical Implications • Large range of normal • Possible contributing factors: • Profession/Education • Years of vocal training • Exercise • Future Research • Factors which influence measures • Amount of vocal training