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Related Concept Videos

Larynx01:21

Larynx

The human larynx, often referred to as the voice box, is an intricate organ located in the neck. It serves as a pathway for air to enter the lungs during respiration and is an essential component of voice production.
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids, corniculates, and...
Deglutition01:25

Deglutition

Swallowing, otherwise known as deglutition, facilitates the transport of food from the mouth to the stomach. It is a multifaceted process that involves both the tongue and the muscles of the throat and esophagus. Saliva and mucus aid in this process, which takes approximately 4 to 8 seconds for semi-solid or solid food and around 1 second for liquids or very soft food.
Swallowing can be divided into three stages: the voluntary phase, the pharyngeal phase, and the esophageal phase. Although the...
Exercise and Cardiac Output01:17

Exercise and Cardiac Output

Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining cardiovascular health, with aerobic exercises being particularly effective. According to the American Heart Association, 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise per week is recommended for a healthy heart. Aerobic activities may include brisk walking, running, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and swimming, ideally performed three to five times per week.
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response01:20

Exercise and Cardiovascular Response

Exercise significantly impacts cardiovascular response, which is crucial for understanding patient health and designing effective treatment plans.
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Exercise and Muscle Performance01:27

Exercise and Muscle Performance

Exercise induces a range of adaptations in muscle tissue, depending on the type and duration of activity. Such physical training can be broadly categorized into two types: endurance exercises and resistance exercises.
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
The Effect of Aging on Tissues01:19

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Minimally Invasive Murine Laryngoscopy for Close-Up Imaging of Laryngeal Motion During Breathing and Swallowing
07:45

Minimally Invasive Murine Laryngoscopy for Close-Up Imaging of Laryngeal Motion During Breathing and Swallowing

Published on: December 1, 2023

Does an exercise aimed at improving swallow function have an effect on vocal function in the healthy elderly?

Caryn Easterling1

  • 1Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0413, USA. CARYN@uwm.edu

Dysphagia
|April 26, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The Shaker Exercise may improve swallowing and voice function in older adults experiencing age-related muscle weakening. Further research is needed to confirm its benefits for vocal function and swallowing.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Minimally Invasive Murine Laryngoscopy for Close-Up Imaging of Laryngeal Motion During Breathing and Swallowing
07:45

Minimally Invasive Murine Laryngoscopy for Close-Up Imaging of Laryngeal Motion During Breathing and Swallowing

Published on: December 1, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Speech and Hearing Science
  • Exercise Physiology

Background:

  • Age-related sarcopenia impacts daily activities, swallowing (deglutition), and vocal function.
  • The Shaker Exercise strengthens suprahyoid muscles and enhances upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening.
  • Existing research suggests potential benefits for swallowing and vocal function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of the Shaker Exercise on age-related changes in vocal function and deglutition in healthy older adults.
  • To assess improvements in voice production and swallowing biomechanics after a 6-week exercise regimen.

Main Methods:

  • Twenty-one healthy older adults (65-78 years) performed the Shaker Exercise three times daily for 6 weeks.
  • A control group of five age-matched individuals did not exercise.
  • Acoustic voice analysis and biomechanical swallowing analysis were conducted pre- and post-intervention.
  • The Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI) was used to evaluate voice production.

Main Results:

  • Ten out of 21 participants showed improvements in swallowing biomechanics and DSI scores.
  • The control group exhibited no changes in DSI over the 6-week period.
  • Individual results varied, potentially due to exercise performance, compliance, or health status changes.

Conclusions:

  • The Shaker Exercise demonstrated potential to improve swallowing and voice function in some older adults.
  • Variability in outcomes suggests the need for further investigation into influencing factors.
  • A larger randomized controlled trial is warranted to confirm efficacy and establish the exercise as a preventative measure against age-related functional decline.