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Efficacy of Cool-Down Exercises In the Practice Regimen of Elite Singers

Gottliebson, Renee O.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1307441963

Abstract Details

2011, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Allied Health Sciences: Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Cool-down exercises are routinely prescribed for singers, yet few data exist about the efficacy of active recovery or cooling down of the vocal mechanism. The purpose of the present study was to compare three aspects of vocal function after using different recovery methods following rigorous voice use. Vocal function was assessed using (1) phonation threshold pressure (PTP); (2) acoustic measures (accuracy of tone production, duration of notes and duration of intervals between notes); and (3) measures of subjective perception: perceived phonatory effort (PPE) and Singing Voice Handicap Index (SVHI). Data were collected after 10-minutes of cool-down exercises, complete voice rest, and conversation immediately following a 50-minute voice lesson. Data were collected again 12-24 hours later. Participants included actively performing elite singers (7 women, 2 men) enrolled in the graduate program (M.M., D.M.A.) at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. While it was expected that PTP estimates after cool downs would be significantly lower than baselines and the other conditions, it turns out that PTP estimates after cool downs were significantly higher at the 80% level of the pitch range. Statistically significant correlations between PTP estimates and PPE scores were found when comparing levels of the participants’ pitch ranges (10%, 20%, 80%). Mean PPE scores were highest at the 80% level of the pitch range. The acoustic measures yielded variable results. Cool-down exercises did not result in significantly more accurate tone production and shorter staccato note duration and duration of intervals between staccato notes as compared to baselines and recovery conditions. Instead, participants demonstrated greater accuracy of tone production during baselines and lesser accuracy after voice rest. Staccato notes were significantly shorter in duration after the conversation condition as compared to voice rest. Duration between staccato notes was significantly shorter 12-24 hours after voice rest compared to baselines and the other follow-up conditions. SVHI mean scores were higher during baselines than after the recovery conditions and during follow-up sessions. Statistical significance is noted in comparison of mean SVHI scores 12-24 hours after cool downs (overall lowest mean score) and baselines. The relationship between vocal cool downs and their aerodynamic and acoustic effects remains unclear. What was found was that perhaps the perceived benefit of vocal cool downs is not apparent immediately after their use, but is evident 12-24 hours later. While it appears that conversation may be an acceptable form of active vocal recovery, cool-down exercises may be most beneficial as they raise a conscious awareness of optimum, resonant voice use which may carryover into conversational speech. Future research may benefit from examination of long-term use of vocal cool-down exercises in subsequent vocal performance.
Lisa Kelchner, PhD (Committee Chair)
Suzanne Boyce, PhD (Committee Member)
Wendy Leborgne, PhD (Committee Member)
Mary Stucky, MM (Committee Member)
Bradley Wilson, PhD (Committee Member)
128 p.
Speech Therapy
cool-down exercises; vocal recovery; phonation threshold pressure; perceived phonatory effort; singing voice handicap index; tone accuracy

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Gottliebson, R. O. (2011). Efficacy of Cool-Down Exercises In the Practice Regimen of Elite Singers [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1307441963

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Gottliebson, Renee. Efficacy of Cool-Down Exercises In the Practice Regimen of Elite Singers. 2011. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1307441963.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Gottliebson, Renee. "Efficacy of Cool-Down Exercises In the Practice Regimen of Elite Singers." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1307441963

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1307441963
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© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.