Effects of inspiratory muscle training for 28 days on the voice of women without vocal complaintsPurpose To analyze the vocal effects of inspiratory muscle training for 28 days in women without vocal complaints.
Methods The study included 22 women with no vocal complaints who underwent inspiratory training with the Respiron® Classic Breathing Trainer and Stimulator. The training consisted of 2 sets per day of 30 repetitions for 28 consecutive days. Vocal samples were collected pre and post training and compared regarding auditory-perceptual evaluation (APE), acoustic analysis, aerodynamic and diadochokinesis measurements, and vocal self-assessment. The data was statistically analyzed using dependent tests.
Results No differences were found in the APE of the sustained vowel /a/ and number counting. Differences were found in the acoustic analysis, with a decrease in the median Shimmer % and an increase in HNR. There was an increase in the average maximum phonation times of the vowel /i/, of the fricatives /s/ and /z/, and counting numbers. There was also an increase in the average number of syllable repetitions in the diadochokinesis of the syllables /ka/ and /pataka/ and the vowel /a/. Increase in the means of the physical V-RQOL self-assessment protocol and total V-RQOL, and decrease in VHI-10; VoiSS limitation, VoiSS physical, and total VoiSS.
Conclusion It can thus be inferred that the inspiratory training resulted in enhanced phonatory efficiency and augmented aerodynamic control, thereby conferring an improvement in vocal quality. It is therefore recommended that subjects who do not present vocal complaints and who wish to enhance their phonatory efficiency engage in inspiratory muscle training.
Keywords:
Breathing Exercises; Voice; Vocal Quality; Breathing; Voice Training