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STUDY OF RESPIRATORY CAPACITY AND CORE MUSCLE STREN GTH

IN INDIAN CLASSICAL SINGERS

Shweta S. Devare Phadke*, Sukhada Prabhu**, Sujata Yardi***

ABSTRACT

Classical singers are elite athletes. Their art requires total mind & body integration. Body alignment

and breathing has an effect on phonation. Proper breathing technique leads to better control over breath and

quality of tone. Core muscles supports the work of lungs and larynx to produce better tone production and

ability to sing extended phrases and sustain notes for longer.1 OBJECTIVE: To compare core muscle

strength and respiratory parameters like peak expiratory flow rate and breathe holding time between Indian

classical singers and age matched non singers. METHODOLOGY: Group 1 Indian classical singers between

age group of 15 to 30 years, practicing minimum since 1 year. Group 2 Normal healthy adults between age

group of 15 to 30 years who are not engaged in any type of singing and fitness activity. After explaining

about the aims and objectives of the study , consent taken. Height, weight, core muscle strength assessment by

Richardson and Joule's grading, breath holding time and peak expiratory flow rate with mini Wright's peak

flow meter measured. The data was analyzed using GraphPadInstat Version3.10, 32 for Windows. RESULT:

The core muscle strength and Breath holding time of classical singers is significantly more than age matched

normals. There is mean difference in PEFR of singers and age matched normals which is statistically non

significant. The study reveals that singers have good core strength and breath holding time. For quality

singing training in breathing capacity and core muscle strength will help.

KEYWORDS: core muscle strength, indian classical singer, respiratory capacity.

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INTRODUCTION

Singing requires exceptional co-ordination,

endurance and fine motor control. Body alignment

impacts vocal techniques. Breating capacity have

effect on specialised phonation like singing. 3 The

physiological effects of proper breathing

techniques are increased lung capacity, increase in

lung volume, improved all over stamina or

endurance of respiratory muscles, and better

oxygenation of entire body.1

According to Pilates, core strength and

stability is of tremendous benefit for breathing.

The core muscle encompasses all muscles that co-

ordinate the joints of lower spine, pelvis, hip and

stabilize lower torso. Most of these muscles also

assist in respiration. The core muscles help singers

to enhance endurance of respiratory muscles and

in turn increase the breathing capacity.3 If muscles

that support the breathing mechanism are well

toned, singing will be energy efficient.2 Core

muscles works by contracting the abdominal

muscles, creating higher pressure in abdomen ,

allowing diaphragms relaxation, upward rise to be

more carefully controlled. Core muscle gives

singer a means of controlling their sound or

phonation.1 Breath holding time is a rough index

of cardiopulmonary reserve measured by length of

time that a subject can voluntarily stop breathing

after a deep inspiration. Learning to catch and time

the breath for each song is critical for a quality

performance.5

Thus, we hypothesised, the core muscle

strength and respiratory capacity measured by

peak expiratory flow rate and breath holding time

of Indian classical singers are higher than age

matched healthy adults.

METHODOLOGY

� Type of study – Cross Sectional

� Study setting – Community Indian

classical singer

� Inclusion criteria – Indian classical singers

between age group of 15 to 30 years,

practicing minimum since 1 year.

Normal healthy adults between age group

of 15 to 30 years who are not engaged in

any type of singing activity.

� Exclusion criteria – Indian classical singers

with any lung or cardiac pathology (HTN,

pregnant women, within 6 months post

delivery ).

Singers engaged in any other physical exercise

or wind instruments.

Singers less than 1 yr of training and singers

who are not undergoing appropriate training.

Normal age matched adults involved in any

type of physical fitness activity.

MATERIAL USED

� Stabilizer’s pressure biofeedback unit

� Mini Wright’s peak expiratory flow meter

� Weighing scale

� Measuring tape and stop watch

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Procedure

1.Core muscle strength was measured by

Stabilizer’s pressure biofeedback unit, with help of

Richardson and Joule’s core muscle grading

method. This grading method was used as it is

reliable and valid method of testing core muscle

strength.18 The subject was instructed to be in

supine position with both lower limbs hip and knee

flexed. Drawing in maneuver i.e transverse

abdominis muscle activation was taught to the

subject. The inflatable bag was placed in lumbar

lordosis and pressure was raised till 40mm of Hg.

Subjects were instructed to take their umbilicus

upward and inward and maintaining this they were

graded as per following grades19-

1A- Unilateral heel slide, with other leg in hip

knee flexion resting on plinth.

1B- Unilateral heel slide with leg 5cms off the

plinth and other leg in hip knee flexion resting on

plinth.

2A- Unilateral heel slide with other leg off the

plinth in hip knee flexion.

2B- Unilateral heel slide with leg 5cm off the

plinth and leg off the plinth in hip knee flexion.

2. Peak expiratory flow rate was measured by Mini

Wright’s peak expiratory flow meter, a small

handheld device. Subject was in standing position

without any support. They were instructed to take

a deep inspiration through nose with device held in

mouth, and to blow out or expire forcefully

through mouth. 3 readings were taken, out of

which the best value was considered.17

3. Breath holding time was measured with the help

of stop watch. Subjects were in sitting position.

They were instructed to take a deep inspiration

through nose and to hold their breath as long as

possible. The normal duration was 30 seconds or

longer, diminished cardiac or pulmonary reserve

was indicated by duration of 20 seconds or less.5

RESULT

Table 1: Comparison of core muscle strength by richardson and joule’s grading

Singers Normals

Mean 2.9 1.433

Standard diviation 1.248 0.5683

'P' value <0.0001

Table 2: Comparision of breath holding time

Singers Normals

Mean 48.7 37.9

Standard diviation 9.963 8.588

'P' value >0.01 >0.01

Scientific Research Journal of India ● Volume: 2, Issue: 3, Year: 2013

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Table 3: Comparision of peak expiratory flow rate

Singers Normals

Mean 371.33 359

Standard diviation 42.160 55.108

'P' value >0.10 >0.10

DISCUSSION

In our study, total 60 subjects participated, 30

in each group. Subjects were explained about the

study and a prior consent was taken. The age,

height (in cms), weight (in kgs), no.of training

years of the study subjects were noted. Subjects

were assessed on parameters like core muscle

strength, breath holding time, peak expiratory flow

rate (PEFR) in random order.

The data revealed that maximum no. of

singers are trained for 5-6 years. In order to

maintain homogeneous distribution these subjects

were matched based on age, height (singers- 160.4

cms, normals- 160.04 cms), and weight (singers-

61.66 kgs, normals- 60.86 kgs). The maximum no.

of study subjects assessed were females (singers-

86.6% and normals- 90%).

The statistical analysis shows that core

muscle strength of classical singers was

significantly high (P value-0.0009 ). This goes

along with our hypothesis that singers need to

build strength and flexibility throughout the torso.

The strong core muscle supports the muscles of

spine and lower ribs. which help to enhance rib

movement, resulting in improved breath capacity.

Thus core muscle strength if developed in proper

fashion helps to improve breath capacity in

singers.3 A good core encourages singer in

pushing. Pushing results when vocal cords are

squeezed together with such force that only

excessive breath pressure will allow them to

vibrate. If a singer tends to push, a stronger core

will make it possible to push a little harder.3 Core

strength and stability is of tremendous benefit for

breath co-ordination during singing. Core

strengthening exercises that strengthen the core

muscle along with abdominal muscle, back

muscle, muscle around pelvis are recommended

for singers as daily exercise program along with

their singing practice to sustain notes for longer

duration. This will also minimize work related

musculoskeletal disorders. Breath holding time of

classical singers is significantly higher than age

matched normals. Singers require a higher rate of

breath management capabilities as they need to

extend the normal breath cycle by maintaining

inspiratory position for as long as possible.3

Breathing strategies rely on ability to inhale a

substantial quantity of air and release it steadily.

This physiological mechanism of breathing is

relevant to singers as it provides energy to tone

and ability to sustain longer notes. Without

diaphragm and the muscles surrounding that

support its work, air can neither enter nor leave

from lungs. Without air expulsion the vocal cords

cannot vibrate and without vibration sound can’t

be produced.1 Cardiopulmonary fitness plays

important role in singing. It includes efficient

circulation of oxygen throughout the body and

ability to make good use of it.3 Efficient oxygen

consumption benefits singing techniques by

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allowing singer to sustain longer phrases. Building

strong core strength leads to less work of

breathing.3

There are 2 schools of teaching about breath

management 1 -

• Supporting the breath by compressing

abdomen during phonation (i.e. on

exhalation)

• Relaxing abdominal muscle as much as

possible during inhalation and phonation,

allowing diaphragm to work on inhalation

and riding its relaxation on outgoing

breath (i.e. during phonation)

In our study as breath holding time was higher

in singers so we would like to emphasis that

inspiratory training would help singers to sustain

notes for longer.

From the study it is evident that there is no

much significant difference in PEFR of singers as

compared to age matched normals. PEFR is

person’s maximum speed of expiration. PEFR

measures airflow through bronchi and thus degree

of obstruction in the airways.6 The PEFR values

of singer are nearly same as those of normals may

be because singers have to concentrate more on

inspiratory capacity and breath holding. Relaxed

and steady expiration is recommended for singers

to sustain longer notes.

Thus cardiopulmonary fitness and core muscle

strengthening plays important role in improving

quality of singing. The study reveals that singers

require good core strengthening and breath holding

time for quality singing. Hence clinically singer

fitness programme must include core muscle

strength training and breathing exercises.

Acknowledgements

We are heartily thankful to Yashsree Sangeet

Vidyalaya,Kalva and the staff of Dept. Of

Physiotherapy, Pad.Dr.D.Y.Patil University, who

supported us from the preliminary stages of the

project.

Conflict of Interest

We, Phadke S,Prabhu S, Yardi S state that

there is no conflict of interests with other people or

organizations about our work.

Source of funding

Study was self funded.

Ethical Clearance

Study has cleared by ethical committee of

Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil University.

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CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:

*Asst. Professore, Dept. Of Physiotherapy, Pad Dr. D.Y. Patil University, 6th floor, Pad Dr. D.Y. Patil

Medical College Bldg., Sector 5, Nerul, Navi Mumbai.

**Intern, Dept. Of Physiotherapy, Pad Dr. D.Y. Patil University, 6th floor, Pad Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical

College Bldg., Sector 5, Nerul, Navi Mumbai.

***Professore & Director, Dept. Of Physiotherapy, Pad Dr. D.Y. Patil University, 6th floor, Pad Dr. D.Y.

Patil Medical College Bldg., Sector 5, Nerul, Navi Mumbai.