Journal Article

Physiological demands of singing for lung health compared with treadmill walking

Buttery, Sara C, Manivannan, Bishman, Philip, Keir EJ, Lewis, Adam, Fancourt, Daisy, Polkey, Michael I, Hopkinson, Nicholas S, Orton, Christopher M, McCabe, Colm

2021

Overview

IntroductionParticipating in singing is considered to have a range of social and psychological benefits. However, the physiological demands of singing and its intensity as a physical activity are not well understood.MethodsWe compared cardiorespiratory parameters while completing components of Singing for Lung Health sessions, with treadmill walking at differing speeds (2, 4 and 6 km/hour).ResultsEight healthy adults were included, none of whom reported regular participation in formal singing activities. Singing induced acute physiological responses that were consistent with moderate intensity activity (metabolic equivalents: median 4.12, IQR 2.72–4.78), with oxygen consumption, heart rate and volume per breath above those seen walking at 4 km/hour. Minute ventilation was higher during singing (median 22.42 L/min, IQR 16.83–30.54) than at rest (11 L/min, 9–13), lower than 6 km/hour walking (30.35 L/min, 26.94–41.11), but not statistically different from 2 km/hour (18.77 L/min, 16.89–21.35) or 4 km/hour (23.27 L/min, 20.09–26.37) walking.ConclusionsOur findings suggest the acute metabolic demands of singing are comparable with walking at a moderately brisk pace, hence, physical effects may contribute to the health and well-being benefits attributed to singing participation. However, if physical training benefits result remains uncertain. Further research including different singing styles, singers and physical performance impacts when used as a training modality is encouraged.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov registry (NCT04121351).

• Publisher: British Thoracic Society,BMJ Publishing Group LTD,BMJ Publishing Group
• Subject: Adult / Cardiorespiratory Fitness - physiology / Coronaviruses / COVID-19 / Disease transmission / Exercise / Exercise Test / Female / Fitness equipment / Fitness training programs / Healthy Volunteers / Heart rate / Heart Rate - physiology / Humans / Lung - physiology / Male / Metabolic Flux Analysis - methods / Music / Oxygen Consumption - physiology / Pandemics / Physical Exertion - physiology / Physical fitness / Physiology / pulmonary rehabilitation / Respiratory diseases / Respiratory Function Tests - methods / Respiratory Physiology / Singing - physiology / Spirometry / Walking / Walking - physiology / Warm-Up Exercise