In typical models of speech motor control, breath is yoked to speech production. However, this study found that speakers under extreme aerobic demand alter speech production in ways that do not fully align with such models. Collegiate level rowers completed an interval workout consisting of four intense 3-min rowing machine sessions interspersed with 6-min rests. Production of English Cɛ/ɑC words was recorded both at baseline warm up and throughout the workout, and suprasegmental and segmental acoustics were analyzed. Fundamental frequency (F0) was shown to increase with intense aerobic demand, with significantly increased within-word F0 variability. Word duration decreased significantly with exercise. Segmental analysis showed increases in the first and second formants of ɛ and ɑ, with interactions across participants (F1 and F2) and vowels (F2 only). Across formants, individual speakers either demonstrated the main effect or did not show significant changes, although one participant significantly altered F2 for ɛ in the direction opposing the main effect. Characteristics of individual speakers and items (terms common to rowing versus not) will be explored. Alteration of speech in the suprasegmental and segmental domains implies that aerobic demand can override or alter speech motor goals. Note: RS and MM share first authorship
Simmons et al. (Wed,) studied this question.