Effects of Aerobic and Diaphragmatic Exercises on Choir Singers

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age25-60
SponsorMedipol University

About this trial

The goal of this randomized-controlled study is to compare the effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercise training provided by a physiotherapist and aerobic exercise training applied in addition to diaphragmatic breathing exercise training provided by a physiotherapist on respiratory functions and voice performance in choir singers.

The main questions this study aims to answer are:

* Is diaphragmatic breathing exercise training provided by a physiotherapist effective in improving the respiratory functions of choir singers? * Is diaphragmatic breathing exercise training provided by a physiotherapist effective in improving the vocal performance of choir singers? * Does aerobic exercise training applied in addition to diaphragmatic breathing exercise training provided by a physiotherapist have a greater effect on improving the respiratory functions of choir singers compared to diaphragmatic breathing exercise training applied alone? * Does aerobic exercise training applied in addition to diaphragmatic breathing exercise training provided by a physiotherapist have a greater effect on improving the vocal performance of choir singers compared to diaphragmatic breathing exercise training applied alone?

The research data are going to be collected by Sociodemographic Information Form, International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, Self-Performance Evaluation Questionnaire, Vocal Fatigue Index, Singing Voice Handicap Index, measurement of maximum phonation time, pulmonary function test, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure measurement, and 6-minute walk test.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Being a chorist in an active choir that rehearses at least once a week for an average of 2 hours

Having an inactive or minimally active physical activity level according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form

Being between the ages of 25-60

Being willing to participate in the study

Disqualifiers

Having a neurological or orthopedic disease

Having a condition related to the cardiopulmonary system that would prevent exercise according to the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Diaphragmatic breathing exercise training

    Behavioral

    At the end of the training, participants will be asked to do an exercise session and this session will be observed. Training will continue until participants learn and apply the exercise correctly. 5-minute warm-up and cool-down periods will be applied at the beginning and end of each exercise session. Exercises will be done twice a day, morning and evening, for 8 weeks. In order to follow the exercise, participants will be given diaphragmatic breathing exercise tracking cards with date and session information. In addition, participants will be followed up weekly on one of the rehearsal days to ensure their adaptation to the exercise.

  • Aerobic exercise training

    Behavioral

    The intensity of the aerobic exercise program will be calculated for each participant using the Karvonen formula. Accordingly, each participant will be given a brisk walking program on a suitable surface, which will be created specifically for the individual to reach the target heart rate range within the scope of the aerobic exercise program; they will apply a 45-minute session, 3 days a week, for 8 weeks.

Treatment groups

42 Participants
are divided into 3 treatment groups
Group A: diaphragmatic breathing exercise training groupActive comparator 1 intervention
Group B: aerobic exercise training groupExperimental treatment 2 interventions
Group C: Control groupNo intervention 0 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

FEV1/FVC

Pulmonary function test with a spirometer will be performed on all participants to assess forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity.

Time frame
This outcome will be evaluated twice: before starting the exercise program and after implementing the exercise program for 8 weeks.
2

Slow vital capacity

Pulmonary function test with a spirometer will be performed on all participants to assess slow vital capacity.

Time frame
This outcome will be evaluated twice: before starting the exercise program and after implementing the exercise program for 8 weeks.
3

Maximal voluntary ventilation

Pulmonary function test with a spirometer will be performed on all participants to assess maximal voluntary ventilation.

Time frame
This outcome will be evaluated twice: before starting the exercise program and after implementing the exercise program for 8 weeks.
4

Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure

An electronic respiratory pressure meter will be used to calculate maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure

Time frame
This outcome will be evaluated twice: before starting the exercise program and after implementing the exercise program for 8 weeks.

Secondary outcomes

1

Aerobic capacity and endurance

6 Minute Walk Test will be performed on all participants to assess aerobic capacity and endurance.

Time frame
This outcome will be evaluated twice: before starting the exercise program and after implementing the exercise program for 8 weeks.
2

Vocal fatigue

Vocal Fatigue Index which is a self-report questionnaire for identifying individuals with vocal fatigue and characterizing their complaints will be used to assess the vocal fatigue of all participants.

Time frame
This outcome will be evaluated twice: before starting the exercise program and after implementing the exercise program for 8 weeks.
3

Singing voice and voice-related problems

Singing Voice Handicap Index will be used to assess the voice-related handicaps of all participants.

Time frame
This outcome will be evaluated twice: before starting the exercise program and after implementing the exercise program for 8 weeks.
4

Voice performance

The Self-Performance Evaluation Questionnaire, which is created by the researcher and is a scale in which the participant evaluates his/her own musical performance by scoring it between from 1 to 10, will be used to evaluate the performance.

Time frame
This outcome will be evaluated twice: before starting the exercise program and after implementing the exercise program for 8 weeks.

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.