Quantifying Vocal Power: Correlation of Whole-Body Anaerobic Power to Vocal Function Measures

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this preliminary study was to identify a vocal task that could be used as a clinical indicator of the vocal aptitude or vocal fitness required for vocally demanding occupations in a manner similar to that of the anaerobic power tests commonly used in exercise science. Performance outcomes for vocal tasks that require rapid acceleration and high force production may be useful as an indirect indicator of muscle fiber complement and bioenergetic fitness of the larynx, an organ that is difficult to study directly. Method Sixteen women (age range: 19–24 years, M age = 22 years) were consented for participation and completed the following performance measures: forced vital capacity, three adapted vocal function tasks, and the horizontal sprint test. Results Using a within-participant correlational analyses, results indicated a positive relationship between the rate of the last second of a laryngeal diadochokinesis task that was produced at a high fundamental frequency/high sound level and anaerobic power. Forced vital capacity was not correlated with any of the vocal function tasks. Conclusions These preliminary results indicate that aspects of the laryngeal diadochokinesis task produced at a high fundamental frequency and high sound level may be useful as an ecologically valid measure of vocal power ability. Quantification of vocal power ability may be useful as a vocal fitness assessment or as an outcome measure for voice rehabilitation and habilitation for patients with vocally demanding jobs.

Tipos de fibras de los músculos intrínsecos laríngeos de seres humanos: una revisión de la literatura

“…Las repercusiones de lo anterior implicarían, por parte del clínico, reconocer las adecuadas cargas de trabajo que adapten y optimicen el funcionamiento de las fibras oxidativas de los músculos fonatorios. Por ende, es adecuado proponer programas de entrenamiento vocal que favorezcan la extracción de oxígeno dentro del músculo, el aumento y tamaño mitocondrial y el desarrollo de la densidad capilar, entre otros (Johnson & Sandage, 2019;Snell et al, 2020). Esto supone entender que cada tono que se utiliza en terapia (su intensidad y duración), implica respuestas metabólicas que pueden conducir a la sobrecarga patológica, a la mantención del rendimiento o a la adaptación; por lo que su aplicación debe ser razonada y guiada por disciplinas como la fisiología del ejercicio y las ciencias del entrenamiento (Delprado-Aguirre, 2020;Fuentes Aracena, 2018;Johnson & Sandage, 2019).…”

Reducing the GAP between science and clinic: lessons from academia and professional practice - part A: perceptual-auditory judgment of vocal quality, acoustic vocal signal analysis and voice self-assessment

“…An important aspect to be highlighted in the acoustic analysis and in the perceptual-auditory judgment is the speech tasks in use. They must allow access to vocal functionality in terms of frequency variation (low, high and the alternation between them), intensity (weak, habitual and strong) (96) , as well as resistance (emission in maximum phonation time at different intensities and frequencies) and laryngeal efficiency (laryngeal diadochokinesia) (97) . At the same time, the Sound Pressure Level (SPL) must be a controlled variable and recorded at the time of voice data collection.…”

Reduzindo o GAP entre a ciência e a clínica: lições da academia e da prática profissional – parte A: julgamento perceptivo-auditivo da qualidade vocal, análise acústica do sinal vocal e autoavaliação em voz

“…Um aspecto importante a ser destacado na avaliação acústica e no julgamento perceptivo-auditivo são as tarefas de fala utilizadas. Elas devem possibilitar o acesso à funcionalidade vocal em termos de variação de frequência (grave, agudo e a alternância entre eles), intensidade (fraco, habitual e forte) (96) , assim como resistência (emissão em tempo máximo de fonação em diferentes intensidades e frequências) e eficiência laríngea (diadococinesia laríngea) (97) . Além disso, o nível de pressão sonora (NPS) deve ser uma variável controlada e registrada no momento de coleta da voz.…”