Associations of postural activities and knowledge for voice with breathing issues and voice-physical-disorders among lyric singers

Abstract

Objectives/HypothesisThe purpose of this research was to study the associations of postural activities and knowledge of the voice of opera singers, recognized in the literature for the specificity of their posture. Additionally, the link between vocal pathologies and body pains on one hand, and posture control on the other hand was investigated. MethodsA questionnaire including 90 questions was distributed to singers in France and overseas during 6 months. Ninety-eight opera singers participated in the survey. Data were analyzed using Excel and Stata software. ResultsThe results showed that the singers who paid more attention to posture, postural work while singing, had knowledge of anatomy and postural role in singing voice, healthy lifestyle and good body habits, had less vocal discomfort and pathologies, a better vocal preservation and used more costo-abdominal breathing. On the other hand, knowledge of postural role and postural work was linked with pain and vocal fatigue. Furthermore, a preventive need was revealed concerning the providing of knowledge and skills to singers, but also to singing teachers, speech therapists and stage workers. ConclusionOur study shows that benefits were found in the voice quality of opera singers with anatomical and postural knowledge and who work on posture as part of their vocal work compared to others. Postural work and knowledge increase attention to body pain and vocal fatigue. These results can inform health care providers, opera singers and their teachers and performers of the benefits of posture on operatic voice quality. Accordingly, this study sparks new ideas for postural work and therapy in lyric voice.