Summary
Objective
This study aimed to identify potential metabolic mechanisms including (1) neuromuscular
inefficiency, (2) cardiovascular recovery deficits, or (3) both, in individuals with
complaints of vocal fatigue.
Study Design
Within- and between-subjects group design was used in this study.
Methods
Three groups of women participated in the study, including (1) individuals with complaints
of vocal fatigue; (2) vocally healthy sedentary individuals; and (3) vocally healthy,
cardiovascularly conditioned individuals. Group assignment was based on results from
the Vocal Fatigue Index, laryngeal examination, and self-report regarding exercise
regimens. Metabolic profiles were obtained using gas exchange measures monitored during
vocal task performance (reading) at two different loudness levels, and during recovery
from reading.
Results
Statistical analyses did not reveal reliable group differences in metabolic cost for
or recovery from vocal tasks. However, descriptive review of oxygen uptake and recovery
kinetics revealed patterns indicating reliance on differential energy resources for
the vocal task in individuals with vocal fatigue compared with cardiovascularly trained,
vocally healthy individuals in particular. Slow oxygen uptake kinetics at task onset
was a characteristic of the vocal fatigue group, indicating a general reliance on
anaerobic resources to meet the demands of the vocal task, pointing to possible neuromuscular
inefficiency. Individuals with vocal fatigue also demonstrated an increase in oxygen
consumption following vocal task compared with cardiovascularly trained individuals,
suggesting possible cardiovascular recovery deficits.
Conclusion
This study provides initial data relevant to possible metabolic mechanisms of vocal
fatigue and the potential relevance of aerobic conditioning in individuals with such
fatigue.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 01, 2016
Accepted:
September 13,
2016
Footnotes
Preliminary data were presented at the 36th Symposium: Care of the Professional Voice, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2007; the Fall Voice Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, 2013; and the annual American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, Denver, Colorado, 2015.
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
