Research Accepted, Surface Hydration, and PYV Reminders!

The Week of August 8th BLOG: 

Tuesday Toss Up: RESEARCH Accepted!

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RESEARCH ACCEPTED!

**Check out the video above related to this post!**

SUPER excited to announce our research was accepted for a PODIUM presentation at The Fall Voice Conference this October in San Francisco! While prepping our presentation from now until then, we are also continuing to write our article with hopes to become published again soon! Without revealing all the conclusions yet, I wanted to describe our study for you. It investigates the question: “Does the daily practice of a structured voice exercise protocol affect the fitness instructor’s self-perceived vocal effort, vocal fatigue, and voice handicap?”

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We aimed to identify the most optimal “Fitpro Voice Protocol” and display the ease of applicability of this protocol into the fitness professional’s daily life (while conversing, teaching, and prior to/after teaching classes). A second aim of the fourteen-day study was to demonstrate the positive impact of this protocol on the fitpro’s voice: specifically related to vocal fatigue, vocal effort, and voice handicap.

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All participants in the study were group fitness instructors actively teaching at least four classes per week of any type or combination of fitness methods. Thirty-six participants from around the world were randomized into three groups; all participants completed baseline self-assessment questionnaires (Vocal Effort Scale, Vocal Fatigue Index, and Voice Handicap Index-10), and an audio recording of The Rainbow Passage. Study investigators virtually trained the participants on their group’s specific voice protocols. Participants were required to drink half of their body weight in ounces of water daily, perform a group-specific voice protocol (at specific times), and complete the aforementioned questionnaires and additional audio recordings on Day 7 and Day 14. All were to be completed at the end of the day (after all classes were taught and the participant had no other voice-related commitments). Study investigators performed perceptual analyses on all audio recordings via the CAPE-V. Protocols involved semi-occluded vocal tract exercise (SOVTE) progression and functional voice use exercises (specific to their commonly used language while teaching classes) using conversation training therapy concepts and cup phonation. Participants were instructed to use this style of voice while teaching and for “normal voice use” outside of the fitness studio. SOVTEs within the groups included straw phonation in water (Group One), straw phonation outside water (Group Two), and use of the SingRing (Group Three). The SingRing (made by @oovostraw) is a convenient brass straw with variable resistance/occlusion levels. To ensure accuracy regarding protocol completion prior to Day One of the study, all participants were contacted via phone by investigators to review their specific protocol and address any questions. All pre-training provided extensive education to participants on details related to accuracy of protocol completion including voice therapy-related concepts such as a light/easy focus, anterior energy/buzz/vibrations, “clear/crisp speech”, attention to the sounds at the mouth, and abdominal breath support for voice versus effort in the throat. There were specific criteria related to protocol performance regarding frequency and timing (time of day and relative to classes taught).

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Stay tuned for more about the results!

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#voxfit #voice #research #gratefulheart #fitnessinstructor #fitpro #fitprovoiceprotocol #warmup #conversationtrainingtherapy #cupphonation #ctt #strawphonation #oovostraw #sovtes #sovt #bevocallyfit #vocalfitness #yesyoucan #thefallvoiceconference #soexcited #speechpathology #speechpathologist #voicespecialist #voicecoaching #voicetherapy #poweredbypassion #occupationalvoiceuser #protectyourvoice #prioritizeyourvoice

Hump Day Health: Surface Hydration

"Surface hydration with 0.9% saline solution led to an improvement in teachers' voice quality" (Santana, 2017.)

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Yepppp.

Teacher = Occupational Voice User.

Improvements in Voice Quality = 100

Research = 100

Using an ultrasonic nebulizer with 0.9% isotonic saline solution = 100

Surface hydration = 100

Prioritizing your VOICE = 100

It's important to #prioritizeyourvoice EVERYDAY. HOW are YOU prioritizing yours?

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If you're not already using an ultrasonic nebulizer with saline, you should be! Stay tuned for a detailed post soon about one of my faaaaave ways to baby those vocal folds!! And shoutout to my favorite, @vocalmist!

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#voxfit #voice #voicesfittoinspire #vocalfitness #bevocallyfit #voicefitness #chooseyourbestvoice #speechpathologist #voicespecialist #fitnessinstructor #singer #educationispower #vocalfolds #vocalhealth #vocalwellness #vocalcoaching #ultrasonicnebulizer #hydration #takecareofyourvoice #occupationalvoiceuser #teacher #surfacehydration #research #babythosevocalfolds

PRIORITIZE YOUR VOICE!  

It’s Prioritize Your Voice Friday… So how are you prioritizing your voice today? And everyday? As an OCCUPATIONAL VOICE USER, it should be one of your top priorities! 
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Shouldn’t PRIORITIZING your voice be high on your list?!
What do you need to know to keep your voice healthy?  You should understand how the voice works, how to protect and care for your voice, and how to use your voice and entire vocal mechanism in the most efficient, effective, and dynamic ways possible.  
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I’m super PASSIONATE about this population of voice users (I’m one and most of you are too), and am HERE TO HELP! Reach out with any questions, concerns, or if you’d like to work together.
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#voxfit #desiretoinspire #aspiretoinspire #changelives #radiateconfidence #vocalinstrument #voice #voicefitness #vocalfitness #voicesfittoinspire #vocalathlete #occupationalvoiceuser #speechpathology #voicespecialist #teacher #instructor #fitnessinstructor #singer #performer #emcee #gamehost #clergy #sales #coach #speechpathologist #voicetherapy #voicedisorders #prioritizeyourvoice