Effects of Aerobic and Diaphragmatic Exercises on Choir Singers

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

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.

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)