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NCT Number: NCT06745869

Effects of Aerobic and Diaphragmatic Exercises on Choir Singers

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Respiratory Muscles Behavior Cardiorespiratory Fitness Motor Activity

Age range

25 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Choric Culture Association

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Choric Culture Association

CONTACT

[email protected]

About this study

In this study, it will be examined whether aerobic exercise training applied in addition to diaphragmatic breathing exercise training provided by a physiotherapist improves respiratory functions and voice performance in choir singers more, when compared to diaphragmatic breathing exercise training applied alone.

The participants will be randomly divided into three groups: diaphragmatic breathing exercise training group, aerobic exercise training group applied in addition to diaphragmatic breathing exercise training, and control group.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 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

Exclusion criteria

  • 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)

Treatment and study plan

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. FEV1/FVC

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

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

  2. 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.

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

  3. 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.

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

  4. 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.

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

  5. Maximum phonation time

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

    Each participant will be asked to say the vowels "a, e, i, o, u" at their most comfortable pitch for as long as possible, and the time they can say them will be determined by a stopwatch.

Secondary outcomes

  1. 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.

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

  2. Vocal fatigue

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

    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.

  3. Singing voice and voice-related problems

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

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

  4. Voice performance

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

    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.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Sıla YILMAZ, PhD (c.)

CONTACT

[email protected]

4448544

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Medipol University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Aerobic and Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises on Respiratory Functions and Voice Performance of Choir Singers

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Dec 20, 2024
Registry last updated
Feb 24, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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