Physiological demands of singing for lung health compared with treadmill walking

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 Singi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	BMJ open respiratory research 2021-05, Vol.8 (1), p.e000959
Main Authors:	Philip, Keir EJ, Lewis, Adam, Buttery, Sara C, McCabe, Colm, Manivannan, Bishman, Fancourt, Daisy, Orton, Christopher M, Polkey, Michael I, Hopkinson, Nicholas S
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Coronaviruses COVID-19 Disease transmission Exercise Fitness equipment Fitness training programs Heart rate Pandemics Physical fitness Physiology Respiratory diseases Respiratory Physiology Spirometry Walking
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Summary:	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).
ISSN:	2052-4439 2052-4439