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Updated: May 17, 2026

Investigating the Three-dimensional Flow Separation Induced by a Model Vocal Fold Polyp
Published on: February 3, 2014
Aerodynamic measurements in singers at usual, low, and high frequencies
Dâmaris Poliana Lacerda Vieira1, Viviane Souza Bicalho Bacelete1, Bárbara Pereira Lopes1
1Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Fonoaudiológicas, Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG - Belo Horizonte (MG), Brasil.
Purpose:
To analyze aerodynamic measurements at habitual, low, and high frequencies in male and female singers without vocal changes.
Methods:
This is a cross-sectional, analytical, observational study with 30 male and 30 female singers, aged 19 to 48 years. Aerodynamic parameters such as air pressure, expired and voiced airflow, expiratory volume, power and aerodynamic resistance, acoustic impedance, and aerodynamic efficiency were measured by emitting the syllable /pá/ seven consecutive times at usual intensity and usual, low, and high frequencies.
Results:
Modifications in aerodynamic measurements during the emission of different vocal frequencies were more evident in male singers. They had higher values of peak air pressure, aerodynamic resistance, acoustic impedance, and aerodynamic efficiency in high-pitched emissions, while female singers had higher values of aerodynamic efficiency in usual emissions, followed by high-pitched emissions.
Conclusion:
The variation in fundamental frequency of the voice causes greater changes in aerodynamic parameters in male singers. Female singers had higher values of aerodynamic efficiency in usual voice production.
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