Voice-Related Survey Outcomes Among Physical Education Student Trainees in South India

Voice problems among professional voice users (singers, teachers, and call center workers) are highly reported in the literature. However, studies on physical education (PE) teachers whose vocal dysfunction can be attributed to behaviors such as projecting over loud background noise in less ideal voicing environments, are reported scarcely. The objectives of the present study were (1) to estimate risk factors of voice problems in PE student trainees; (2) to determine the PE student trainees' interest in attending seminar regarding voice care; and (3) to evaluate the knowledge levels among PE student trainees on voice care.

A total of 51 PE student trainees were recruited from the University of Mysore within the age range of 20 to 30 years (mean age = 24.62 years). A questionnaire with 36 items under four subsections was developed and validated in English by three experienced speech-language pathologists. The same was circulated among the participants via Google forms.

Among 51 PE student trainees, 58.8% experienced some kind of voice problem at least once in their life. Around 25% of the participants had classes on vocal techniques in their curriculum and 88% of the participants were willing to attend voice conservation programs. A significant proportion of them perceived that their personal and social life is being restricted due to their vocal dysfunction yet did not perceive this as a handicapping condition. Vocally abusive behaviors were noted in 25% of the participants who reported to have voice problem. Among the participants who had experienced voice problems at least once, 30% consume tea/coffee, 13.3% consume carbonated drinks, 23.3% consume spicy foods, 10% skip food, 10% sleep immediately after dinner, 16.6% smoke cigarette or drink alcohol, 13.3% complain of GERD often, and 40% consumed less than 2 L of water per day.

Fifty-nine percent of the PE student trainees have experienced voice problems at least once in their lifetime. The outcome of the present study indicates that it is very much important for the future PE professionals to seek knowledge regarding the impact of their profession on voice. It is also necessary that precautions be taken, including vocal hygiene techniques, to avoid future voice problems.