Authors :
Ravneet Kaur; Kulwant Kaur; Sukhmandeep Singh Thind
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 9 - September
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/3jje8y8m
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26sep830
Note : A published paper may take 4-5
working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and
ResearchGate.
Abstract :
Background:
Breathing plays an essential role in singing by regulating airflow and subglottic pressure required for effective
phonation. Female folk singers require adequate respiratory muscle strength, breath control, and lung expansion to sustain
vocal performance. Breath Stacking (BS) may enhance lung volume and respiratory function by allowing successive
inspiratory efforts without expiration.
Objective:
To evaluate and compare the effects of Breath Stacking and Pursed Lip Breathing on respiratory muscle strength and
breath hold time in female folk vocalists.
Design:
Randomized Controlled Trial.
Setting:
Department of Music, Khalsa College, Amritsar.
Methods:
An experimental randomized controlled trial was conducted among 48 female folk singers aged 18–25 years at the
Department of Music, Khalsa College, Amritsar. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups, with 24 participants
in each group. Intervention Group (Group A) received Breath Stacking, while control group(Group B) received Pursed Lip
Breathing. Both interventions were administered four days per week for four weeks. Respiratory muscle strength was
assessed using Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) and Maximum Expiratory Pressure (MEP), while Breath Hold Time
(BHT) was assessed using a static breath-holding test. Pre- and post-intervention measurements were compared using paired
and unpaired t-tests.
Keywords :
Breath Stacking, Pursed Lip Breathing, Respiratory Muscle Strength, Breath Hold Time.
References :
- Welch GF, Howard DM, Nix J, editors. The Oxford handbook of singing. Oxford University Press, USA; 2019.
- Chukwu SC, Egbumike CJ, Ojukwu CP, Uchenwoke C, Igwe ES, Ativie NR, Okemmuo AJ, Chukwu NP, Ezeugwu UA, Ikele CN, Uduonu EM. Effects of diaphragmatic breathing exercise on respiratory functions and vocal sustenance in apparently healthy vocalists. Journal of Voice. 2025 Mar 1;39(2):564-e37.
- Ahmadi N, Moein N, Tarameshlu M, Ghelichi L, Kamali M, Jenabi MS. The effect of breathing exercises combined with manual therapy on muscle tension dysphonia in traditional singers: a blinded randomized controlled trial. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. 2022 Jun;279(6):2989-96.
- de Sá Feitosa LA, Barbosa PA, Pessoa MF, Rodrigues‐Machado MD, de Andrade AD. Clinimetric properties of breath‐stacking technique for assessment of inspiratory capacity. Physiotherapy Research International. 2012 Mar;17(1):48-54.
- David J, Patil H. Immediate effect of Buteyko breathing technique versus stacked breathing technique in asthma patients. International journal of health science and research. 2022;12(6):158.
- Fernandes DD, Righi NC, Rubin LJ, Bellé JM, Pippi CM, Ribas CZ, Nichele LD, Signori LU, Silva AM. Effects of the breath stacking technique after upper abdominal surgery: a randomized clinical trial. Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia. 2022 Mar 14;48(01):e20210280.
- Lyu S, Chen S, Qi H. Research on the Application of Voice Acoustics for Speech Intelligence in Folk Songs. InIEEE International Conference on Advanced Infocomm Technology 2022 Oct 28 (pp. 131-141). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
- Sheers NL, O’Sullivan R, Howard ME, Berlowitz DJ. The role of lung volume recruitment therapy in neuromuscular disease: a narrative review. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences. 2023 Jul 26;4:1164628.
- Dimitriadis Z, Kapreli E, Konstantinidou I, Oldham J, Strimpakos N. Test/retest reliability of maximum mouth pressure measurements with the MicroRPM in healthy volunteers. Respiratory care. 2011 Jun;56(6):776-82.
- Lörinczi F, Lörincziová D, Vanderka M. Reliability of breath-holding tests with potential for use in sports practice. Journal of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences. 2023 Sep 26;33(103):27-34.
- An SK, Shin WS. Effect of air stacking training on pulmonary function, respiratory strength and peak cough flow in persons with cervical spinal cord injury. Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science. 2018 Dec 28;7(4):147-53.
- Elmarakby RM, Rahmy AF, El Batanoni MM, Elnahas NG. Lung boost training effect on ventilatory functions in choral singers: a randomized controlled trial. Fizjoter Pol. 2021;21:144-9.
- Soroksky A, Balmor GR, Nugzar R, Goldstein AL, Tayem E, Galante O, Tocut M. Novel respiratory breath hold index: A predictor for successful Extubation in mechanically ventilated patients, a prospective cohort study. Life. 2025 Oct 1;15(10):1541.
- Li G, Zhao Y, Mo T, Zhang Z, Zhang X, Hou S. The effects of inspiratory muscle training on respiratory function and aerobic capacity in sedentary adolescents: A single-blind randomized controlled trial. Scientific Reports. 2026 Mar 22;16(1):14484.
- Patel SK, Srivastava S. Effect of pranayama on breath holding time of college students. Integr. J. Res. Arts Human. 2024;4(2):88-91.
Background:
Breathing plays an essential role in singing by regulating airflow and subglottic pressure required for effective
phonation. Female folk singers require adequate respiratory muscle strength, breath control, and lung expansion to sustain
vocal performance. Breath Stacking (BS) may enhance lung volume and respiratory function by allowing successive
inspiratory efforts without expiration.
Objective:
To evaluate and compare the effects of Breath Stacking and Pursed Lip Breathing on respiratory muscle strength and
breath hold time in female folk vocalists.
Design:
Randomized Controlled Trial.
Setting:
Department of Music, Khalsa College, Amritsar.
Methods:
An experimental randomized controlled trial was conducted among 48 female folk singers aged 18–25 years at the
Department of Music, Khalsa College, Amritsar. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups, with 24 participants
in each group. Intervention Group (Group A) received Breath Stacking, while control group(Group B) received Pursed Lip
Breathing. Both interventions were administered four days per week for four weeks. Respiratory muscle strength was
assessed using Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) and Maximum Expiratory Pressure (MEP), while Breath Hold Time
(BHT) was assessed using a static breath-holding test. Pre- and post-intervention measurements were compared using paired
and unpaired t-tests.
Keywords :
Breath Stacking, Pursed Lip Breathing, Respiratory Muscle Strength, Breath Hold Time.