title: How do laryngeal and respiratory functions contribute to differentiate actors/actresses and untrained voices?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to compare actors/actresses's voices and vocally trained subjects through aerodynamic and electroglottographic (EGG) analyses. We hypothesized that glottal and breathing functions would reflect technical and physiological differences between vocally trained and untrained subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty participants with normal voices participated in this study (20 professional theater actors and 20 untrained participants). In each group, 10 male and 10 female subjects were assessed. All participants underwent aerodynamic and EGG assessment of voice. From the Phonatory Aerodynamic System, three protocols were used: comfortable sustained phonation with EGG, voice efficiency with EGG, and running speech. Contact quotient was calculated from EGG. All phonatory tasks were produced at three different loudness levels. Mean sound pressure level and fundamental frequency were also assessed. Univariate, multivariate, and correlation statistical analyses were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Main differences between vocally trained and untrained participants were found in the following variables: mean sound pressure level, phonatory airflow, subglottic pressure, inspiratory airflow duration, inspiratory airflow, and inspiratory volume. These variables were greater for trained participants. Mean pitch was found to be lower for trained voices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The glottal source seemed to have a weak contribution when differentiating the training status in speaking voice. More prominent changes between vocally trained and untrained participants are demonstrated in respiratory-related variables. These findings may be related to better management of breathing function (better breath support).
authors: Department of Performing Arts, UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, Campus Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Suely
authors: S
authors: Master
authors: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Department of Otolaryngology, Voice Center, Las Condes Clinic, Santiago, Chile. Electronic address: mguzman@med.uchile.cl.
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Guzman
authors: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; School of Theater, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Maria Josefina
authors: MJ
authors: Azócar
authors: Department of Network Management, Barros Luco-Trudeau Hospital, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Muñoz
authors: Language and Voice Experience Clinic, Rockville, Maryland.
authors: Cori
authors: C
authors: Bortnem
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D000328:Adult; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000502:physiology*; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010699:Phonation; D011312:Pressure; D012119:Respiration; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D014833:Voice Quality; D014834:Voice Training
keywords: Actors; Actresses; Contact quotient; Glottal airflow; Subglottic pressure; Voice training