Effect Of Respiratory Muscle Training On Pulmonary Functions And Singing Functions In Novice Singers: An Experimental Study

The purpose of the study was to see the effect of respiratory muscle strength training in novice singers having singing dysphonia. The effect was seen on the pulmonary functions which included Maximum inspiratory pressure, Maximum expiratory pressure and Single breath count test and on the singing functions which included Evaluation of ability to sing easily scale and Maximum phonation time. 

An experimental study was conducted on total of 30 novice male and female singers having singing dysphonia, from various singing schools of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. They were randomly allocated into training group and control group. Respiratory muscle strength training group of novice singers were trained with concurrent inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength training for 5 weeks with pressure threshold device. Total 60 inspiratory and expiratory efforts (5 sets of 6 concurrent inspiratory  and expiratory efforts, in two session with 10 minutes of break in between sessions), once a day were performed with Orygen dual valve pressure threshold device along with regular vocal practice sessions. The control group was kept in waiting period and followed their regular vocal practice. Data was analysed using SPSS v 21, using Parametric sample  t - test. Level of significance was kept at 5%.

After 5 weeks of respiratory muscle strength training, significant improvement in all parameter was observed which includes Evaluation of ability to sing easily scale (t = 8.84, p0.000 ), Maximum inspiratory pressure (t = 6.19, p 0.000 ), and Maximum expiratory pressure (t = 7.86, p 0.000 ), Maximum phonation time (t = 2.24, p 0.033 ), and Single breath count test (t =6.62,  p 0.000).  

Concurrent inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength training is effective for improvement of respiratory muscle strength and improves vocal/singing function  of novice singers which may assist in better learning , practicing and performing singing. 

Respiratory muscle strength training improves inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength and improves vocal function and makes singing easy by enhancing loudness of voice and high pitch tone of novice singers. It also reduces breathiness while singing and helps to control higher and lower notes very easily.