Vocal exercising and speaking related changes in glottal resistance: A pilot study

Abstract

Log Phon Vocol 1998; 23: 85‐92 This study investigated vocal exercising and prolonged speaking related changes in laryngeal function. The glottal resistance, i.e. the ratio of subglottal pressure to glottal flow, was measured in speaking (repetitions of the word :paappa:) for ten subjects before and immediately after 1) one minute of vocal exercising on voiced bilabial fricative [b:], and 2) one minute of continuous speaking. Fundamental frequency and sound pressure level were kept the same in speaking before and after the tasks. The estimate for subglottal pressure was obtained from oral pressure during the voiceless plosives. After exercising the glottal resistance decreased in all cases except one. After the speaking task resistance increased in five cases and decreased in five cases. Resistance decrease was in most cases greater after the exercising task although the difference was statistically non-significant due to inter-individual variation. Resistance decrease after prolonged phonation may indicate a vocal warm-up effect both related to speaking and exercising tasks. The results might also be interpreted to suggest a change in phonatory setting after vocal exercising.