From: "Lloyd W. Hanson"
Subject: Re: Weight Lifting and the Voice
To: VOCALIST <vocalist>
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Hello Dr. John and List:

On 4 Jan 2000 you wrote:

"Jeez, I suppose it's possible [that weight training might overdevelop the
ventricular folds] but I've never witnessed it or heard of it before. I
would expect if the airway was partially obstructed that they would have
symptoms of partial obstruction and shortness of breath, but >that hasn't
been reported."


I was considering the action of the ventricular folds during phonation
rather than during normal breathing function. The husky quality, similar
to the voice quality used by Brando in Godfather ("Make him an offer he
can't refuse") that is rather commonly heard from body builders would
indicate some unusual phonation function.

It has been my understanding that holding the breath during lifting is a
reflexive response intended to strengthen the upper torso and support the
back. I have also read that the ventricular folds assist in this action by
becoming, in effect, the upward portion of the "vocal valve" which is more
efficient in the breath holding action than the vocal folds themselves.
Is this incorrect?

I would assume that in the usual lifting of heavier weights this is not a
concern for the singer. When the lifting of weights is increased beyond
what would be considered usual and that lifting is continued over an
extended time and with many repetitions, consideration must be given to the
effect of this activity on the voice.

Perhaps the "husky" quality is the phonational effect of hemorrhaged vocal
folds which you indicated can be the result of holding the breath during
weight training. As a voice teacher I have had little experience with
hemorrhaged vocal folds but some experience working with singers who
develop a voice quality that I have described as "husky" for lack of a more
accurate term.

Thank you for you willingness to share your expertise with us on this list.

Regards
--
Lloyd W. Hanson, DMA
Professor of Voice, Vocal Pedagogy
School of Performing Arts
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ 86011