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This study aimed to examine whether changes in the activity of shoulder and neck muscles have consequences for the activation of primary breathing muscles. It further aimed to compare muscle loading levels of professional and student singers. Four professional opera singers participated in the study. Previous unpublished recordings of 4 to 16 student singers and one opera singer were included to allow comparison of EMG loading levels between student and professional singers. Electromyographic (EMG) recordings of trapezius (TR), sternocleidomastoideus (STM), intercostals (INT), rectus abdominis (RC) and the lateral abdominal muscles (OBL) were performed. EMG biofeedback (BF) was performed on TR and STM to lower the activity in these two muscles and the potential change in EMG activity of INT, RC and OBL were examined. Three singing tasks were performed: aria, sustained tones and extreme tones. Each task was performed three times with variation in volume or pitch. Following the first performance of the singing tasks, the BF session was carried out and muscle activity recorded in a repeat performance of the same tasks. The EMG activity levels of all muscles were compared before and after BF. We found no significant effect of reduced TR/STM activity on the activation of INT, RC and OBL. Professional opera singers activated the TR, INT, RC and OBL muscles to higher levels than the student singers did. Another finding was large inter-subject variation in muscle usage, showing an idiosyncratic composition of the muscle contribution to subglottal pressure.

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The aim of this paper is to present an overview of the findings in seven studies exploring muscular patterns and muscle activation levels in selected muscles by classical singers. In addition, the relationship of these muscles to thorax (TX) movement was investigated. Loading levels and respiratory phasing of upper trapezius (TR), sternocleidomastoideus (STM) and the scalenes (SC) were investigated in vocalization tasks with variation in vocal loudness and pitch. Further, muscle activity in the posterior neck (PN) was investigated in inhalation and phonation and, finally, TR, intercostal (INT), lateral abdominal (OBL) and anterior abdominal (RC) muscle loading in student and professional singers was examined. Muscle activity was recorded by use of an ambulatory four-channel monitoring system (Physiometer PHY 400, Premed, Norway). TX movement was traced with two strain gauge sensors (RES-117) placed around the upper TX and lower TX. A phasing of upper TR activity to INT and OBL activity was discovered, all muscles supporting the expiration phase. During phonation, TR contributes in the compression of the upper TX, thus serving as an accessory muscle of expiration. TR activity is reduced with short breathing cycles and is mostly inactive in simplified speaking tasks. During phonation, professional opera singers activate the expiratory-phased TR, INT, OBL and RC muscles to higher levels than student singers do. STM and SC show correlated activity patterns during inhalation and phonation by classical singers. During demanding singing, expiratory-phased STM and SC activity peaks produce a counterforce to the compression of upper TX at high pitches. As breathing demands are lowered, STM and SC activity are reduced and attain inspiratory phasing. Substantial muscle activity is observed in PN during inhalation and phonation. EMG biofeedback performed on TR and STM have a secondary effect of lowering EMG activity in PN.

Objective: This study aims to further characterize the muscle activity that influences the posture and breathing utilized for classical singing. The activity in the pectoralis major (PC) muscle and the phasing of PC activity to sternocleidomastoideus (STM) activity and upper thorax (UTX) movement were investigated. Material and Methods: Seven professional classical singers (3 sopranos, 1 mezzo, 1 tenor and 2 baritones) and 8 advanced classical singing students (4 sopranos, 1 mezzo, 1 tenor and 2 baritones) participated. Electromyographic activity was recorded from the PC and STM muscles on the right side. UTX movement was traced with a strain gauge sensor placed around the upper thorax. Different arias, freely chosen by the singers from their professional repertoire, served as singing tasks. All subjects performed their task 3 times with variation in vocal loudness (normal, forte, piano). Results: It was observed that a majority of the singers activated the PC during inhalation and that >50% of the singers activated it during parts of phonation. In general, however, the activity of the PC was relatively low during phonation. Conclusion: This study shows that the PC, in idiosyncratic patterns, could be involved in the inspiratory effort recruited when positioning the UTX during inhalation and phonation.

This study will by ultrasound imaging (USI) investigate the movement of the diaphragm (DPH) during classical singing. Due to the complex structures of the DPH both the anterior and dorsal sections of the DPH will be investigated. The movement of the anterior section is surveyed by performing a transabdominal scan from the right hypochondrium. The movement of the dorsal section is surveyed by examining the movement of the left kidney. We conclude that USI is a promising tool for surveying the movement of the DPH. Especially the anterior section is easily assessed; however, also the dorsal section may indirectly be surveyed by USI of the movement of the left kidney.

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