Pulmonary Function in Young Wind Instrument Players

Abstract

Introduction: Wind instrument playing requires adequate respiratory activity and continuous control of air flow for the production of sound. Professional playing of a wind instrument may be considered to be continuous respiratory muscle training, that might improve lung function. Previous studies among adults investigating effect of wind instrument playing on pulmonary function are equivocal. Aim: To assess pulmonary function among children aged 9 to 15 years playing wind instruments. To evaluate whether wind instrument players can develop higher pressures with their inspiratory and expiratory muscles than untrained subjects. Methods: Sixty children aged 9 to 15 years were assessed (Group A: 30 children playing wind instruments and Group B: 30 healthy children non- wind players). Lung function was assessed with spirometry (FVC, FEV1, FEF 25-75), measurement of maximum respiratory pressures (maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) and peak expiratory flow rate. Results: No significant difference was found in spirometric values including FVC, FEV1 and FEF 25-75 among wind instrument players and healthy controls. Wind instrument players showed significantly higher PEF (p=0.002), MIP (p-0.003) and MEP (p=0.002) compared to controls. Conclusions: Young instrument players had higher maximum respiratory pressures than young people who do not play wind instruments. This is most probably a consequence of respiratory muscle training with a wind instrument. Further studies are needed to support this type of respiratory exercise as a therapeutic tool in respiratory diseases.