Heart Rate Variability During Choral Singing

• 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 four songs framed by two 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 participants. This could be due either to a low degree of synchronization of breathing during singing or other factors overruling the effects of breathing on HRV.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Heart rate variability

Choral singing

Autonomic control

Breathing

Health

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