Muscle Activity and Aerodynamic Voice Changes at Different Body Postures: A Pilot Study.
Adrián Castillo-Allendes, Mauricio Delgado-Bravo, Alvaro Reyes Ponce and 1 others
PMID 36273960WHAT IT FOUND
Postural changes did not significantly alter muscle activity or voice production in experienced singers.
While minor pitch variations occurred on unstable surfaces, the study found no evidence that these specific postures improve vocal control or reduce effort compared to standard upright standing.
Key findings
01The study found no significant differences in electromyographic muscle activity, aerodynamic parameters, vocal pitch, or loudness across the four tested body postures.
02A significant difference in semitones was detected between the modified upright posture and the unstable surface posture, indicating some pitch variability.
03The authors conclude that the results do not support the common assumption that these postural strategies are beneficial for voice treatment and training.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample size was very small (n=8), limiting statistical power. Participants were experienced singers with at least five years of training, so results may not apply to individuals with voice disorders or untrained voices. The postures tested were relatively similar in mechanical demand, which may have minimized observable differences in muscle activity. The study was a pilot, and the authors note that larger sample sizes (estimated at 106 individuals) are needed to detect effects in fundamental frequency.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that posture has no effect on voice. This study only tested four specific static postures in trained singers and found no significant changes in the measured muscle and aerodynamic variables. It does not rule out benefits from other postural interventions or effects in clinical populations with dysphonia.