Key result
Choral singing was associated with a generally higher heart rate and lower heart rate variability compared to slow breathing conditions among amateur singers.
Why the study?
Does choral singing alter heart rate variability compared to slow breathing exercises in amateur singers?
Observational (n=13)
Does choral singing alter heart rate variability compared to slow breathing exercises in amateur singers?
Choral singing elicits higher heart rates and lower heart rate variability compared to slow breathing exercises, likely due to variable breathing synchronization.
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Choral singing may elicit distinct autonomic responses versus slow breathing; leaves open any clinical role and requires prospective validation.
Contemporary research implies that choral singing is beneficial to health. Singing various kinds of songs with varied emphasis, emotion, and tempo gives rise to diverse physiological responses. Breathing is assumed to be synchronized during choral singing, and breathing has major influence on heart rate variability (HRV). In this study, we compare HRV responses during choral singing with slow breathing exercises. Thirteen amateur singers’ HRV were studied during a rehearsal of 4 songs framed by 2 slow breathing exercises without audience. The heart rate was generally higher and HRV generally lower during singing compared to the slow breathing conditions. During singing, but not during slow breathing, peak HRV frequency showed considerable variation among the participants. This could be due to either a low degree of synchronization of breathing during singing or other factors overruling the effects of breathing on HRV.
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Olsson et al. (2013) reported an observational. Choral singing vs. Slow breathing exercises was evaluated on Heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV). Choral singing was associated with a generally higher heart rate and lower heart rate variability compared to slow breathing conditions among amateur singers.
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