STUDY OF RESPIRATORY CAPACITY AND CORE MUSCLE STRENGTH 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.

18

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

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, 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 Stabilizers pressure biofeedback unit within 6 months post

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 coordinate 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.

Mini Wrights peak expiratory flow meter

Weighing scale Measuring tape and stop watch

METHODOLOGY

19

ISSN: 2277-1700 Website: http://srji.drkrishna.co.in URL Forwarded to: http://sites.google.com/site/scientificrji

Procedure 1.Core muscle strength was measured by

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 Wrights 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

Stabilizers pressure biofeedback unit, with help of Richardson and Joules 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 grades191A- 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

RESULT Table 1: Comparison of core muscle strength by richardson and joules grading Singers Mean Standard diviation 'P' value 2.9 1.248 <0.0001 Normals 1.433 0.5683

Table 2: Comparision of breath holding time Singers Mean Standard diviation 'P' value 48.7 9.963 >0.01 Normals 37.9 8.588 >0.01

20

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

Table 3: Comparision of peak expiratory flow rate Singers Mean Standard diviation 'P' value 371.33 42.160 >0.10 Normals 359 55.108 >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 (singers61.66 kgs, normals- 60.86 kgs). The maximum no. of study subjects assessed were females (singers86.6% and normals- 90%). The statistical analysis shows that core muscle strength of classical singers was 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 cant 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
21

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

ISSN: 2277-1700 Website: http://srji.drkrishna.co.in URL Forwarded to: http://sites.google.com/site/scientificrji

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 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) during phonation (i.e. on

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

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 persons 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

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.

REFERENCES 1. Sing wise effective and proper breathing- An information based resource for singers. Karyn O Connor, 2011, page no1. 2. Sing wise effective and proper breathing- An information based resource for singers. Karyn O Connor, 2011, page no2. 3. Sports specific training for vocal athlete- how exercise can support your vocal techniques. Claudia Freidlander, CPT, part 1. 4. Exercise to improve your core strength- by Mayoclinic staff. Mayo foundation for medical education and research.

22

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

5. Breath holding after breathing of oxygen. F.J. klocke and H. Rahn. Journal of applied physiology, American physiological society. 6. Peak expiratory flow rate. The Indian journal of pediatrics. Nov-Dec 1994, volume 61, issue 6, page no. 701 . 7. An investigation of abdominal muscle recruitment for sustained phonation in 25 healthy singers. Ian MacDonald, John S. Rubin, Ed Blake et all. Journal of voice, volume 26, issue 6, Nov 2012, page nos. 815e.9-815e.16 8. Reduced pulmonary function in wind instrument players. Omer Deniz, Sema Savci, Ergun

Tozkoparan et al. Archives of Medical Research, volume 37, issue 4, May 2006, page nos. 506-517. 9. Respiratory muscle training for singers by using respiratory muscle training device.Do Hyun Nam, Jan Yol Lim, Chul Min Ahn et al.Yonsei Medical Journal, volume 45, issue 5, 2004, page nos.810 817 10. Study on breathing method for improving singing skills. Tae-seon-Cho Book- Green and smart technology with sensor application, volume-338, 2012, page nos.372-377 11. Principles and practice of cardiopulmonary physical therapy (3rd edition) Donna Frownfelter, Elizabeth Dean. 12. Reliability of test measuring transverses abdominis muscle recruitment with a pressure biofeedback unit. Katharnia von Garnier et al. Physiotherapy, volume 95, issue 1, March 2009, page nos. 8-14 13. Inefficient muscular stabilization of lumbar spine associated with low back pain; a motor control evaluation of transverses abdominis muscle. Hodges PW, Richardson CA, 1996, issue 35, page nos. 783-805. 14. Tidys physiotherapy by Staurt Porter. 14th edition.

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.

23