Vocal complaint in physical education teachers and its association with the cardiovascular system

Denise S Cunha,Vitor E Valenti,Ana C F Frizzo,Luiz De Abreu,Marco A Cardoso

doi:10.1186/1755-7682-7-7

Abstract

BackgroundWe examined the vocal complaints and evaluated the correlation between the vocal handicap index (VHI) and heart rate variability (HRV) in physical education teachers. We evaluated 46 teachers.MethodThe subjects were investigated regarding voice complaint and the VHI was applied. HRV was recorded at seated rest for ten minutes and it was analyzed in the time, frequency domains, geometric indices and fractal exponents. The three domains of the VHI were correlated with the indices of HRV.ResultsThe physical education teachers presented a VHI score much below the standard of the physiological normality. There was correlation of the organic domain of the VHI with the NN50 and pNN50 and correlation of the functional domain and organic domain of the VHI with the HF index of HRV.ConclusionThe physical education teachers evaluated reported vocal complaints that affected their function and it is suggested to be related with the cardiac autonomic regulation.

Highlights

We examined the vocal complaints and evaluated the correlation between the vocal handicap index (VHI) and heart rate variability (HRV) in physical education teachers
It is known that the work environment of the physical education teacher presents multiple risk factors to vocal health, with high risk of vocal health impairments and dysphonia, once they are submitted to a specific vocal demands associated with physical movements [3,4,5,6]
The study population was composed of 46 physical education teachers, regarding gender, 46% (21) were male and 54% (25) were female and the average age of the group was 43 years (24–64 years old)

Summary

Introduction

We examined the vocal complaints and evaluated the correlation between the vocal handicap index (VHI) and heart rate variability (HRV) in physical education teachers. Method: The subjects were investigated regarding voice complaint and the VHI was applied. The three domains of the VHI were correlated with the indices of HRV. Results: The physical education teachers presented a VHI score much below the standard of the physiological normality. Conclusion: The physical education teachers evaluated reported vocal complaints that affected their function and it is suggested to be related with the cardiac autonomic regulation. The voice command of the physical education teacher influences the student discipline, raising the level of awareness and understanding the performance if the activities proposed. The use of voice depends on the respiratory system [7] and the breath is related with the cardiac autonomic regulation. A non-invasive method for investigation of autonomic nervous system (ANS) that describes the oscillations of the intervals between consecutive heartbeats

Methods

Results

Conclusion