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Preliminary Development of an Anaerobic Vocal Fitness Task: Exploring the Relationship Between Lower Body Anaerobic
Mariah E Morton-Jones1, Mary J Sandage2
1Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, School of Communication, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.
Purpose:
This exploratory study aimed to determine the physiological correlation between lower body anaerobic power and vocal anaerobic power via vocal function measures derived from the vocal capacity anaerobic task (VCAT60).
Methods:
Forty-four individuals were prospectively consented for participation (age 19-40) and completed the following measures: The VCAT60, body composition analysis, aerodynamic assessment to determine forced vital capacity (FVC), and the Wingate Test, the most recognized anaerobic fitness assessment in exercise science.
Results:
Linear regression identified lower-body anaerobic power was a predictor of VCAT number of breaths (β = -0.004, P = 0.03) with a moderate effect size (R = 0.31). Spearman's correlation analysis revealed a positive linear relationship between a faster VCAT rate per second (rps) and higher mean lower-body anaerobic power (ρ(rho) = 0.34, P = 0.02). Linear regression identified lower-body anaerobic power as a significant predictor of VCAT rps (β = 0.05, P =< 0.001). The interaction of FVC and mean lower body anaerobic power suggests a moderating relationship (β = -0.0026, P = 0.016), in which the effect of mean anaerobic power on VCAT rps was dependent on FVC.
Conclusions:
This interdisciplinary study established preliminary evidence of validity for the VCAT60, supporting the task as a physiologically sound and potentially useful anaerobic vocal fitness task to assess human anaerobic vocal muscle power in vivo.
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