Singing in choir as good as yoga

Synchronous heartbeat with choir singers

09/07/2013

Singing in the choir is known for its positive effects on the well-being of the choir singers. How these conditions come now has a Swedish research team of the University of Gothenburg examined in more detail and its results in the journal „Frontiers in Neuroscience“ released. The choir singing has both „a subjective as well as a biologically calming effect, and it is good for cardiovascular function“, so the conclusion of the researchers.

According to the Swedish scientists, the coupling between the type of singing and the effect on the cardiovascular function was striking. Since in a choir all members sing more or less in unison, their heart activity is accelerated or slowed down in common mode. Which „Implications for well-being and health implications, as well as how this internal equalization affects the perceptions and behavior of the choir singers“, must now be analyzed in the context of further studies.

Controlled, slow breathing with effects on the heart activity
According to the researchers, the influence of choral singing on the heart activity of the members is due to the relationship between respiration and heart rate (respiratory sinus arrhythmia). Singing is a controlled, slower breathing than normal, which also adjusts heart activity accordingly. The scientists observed this effect as part of their study in a group of 18-year-olds of mixed sex, where the subjects were first asked to hum and breathe a single sound whenever they needed air. Then they should sing a song, also with free, uncontrolled breathing. Lastly, they sang a mantra that allowed them to breathe slowly and exclusively between the phrases. Parallel to the vocals was a continuous control of the heart rate.

Choral singing strengthens the cardiovascular function
With the help of their study, the researchers were able to show how the structure of the song influences breathing and heart activity. The observed effect is in line with the findings of previous studies on the effects of chorsing on the muscles and nerve activities. The choir singing has a biological calming effect due to the slower, controlled breathing while strengthening the cardiovascular function. Here is a comparison with the breathing exercises of yoga. The unison singing in the choir has the special effect that he has „regular song structures accelerate and slow down the hearts of the singers at the same time“ leave.

Positive effect of singing underestimated
The effect of choral singing and internal equalization on the social behavior of the choir singers is, according to the Swedish scientists, an interesting question for future studies. It is possible that singing in the choir has a positive effect in terms of cooperative behavior. The idea is obvious, because without cooperation in the chorus works little and also on other occasions such as sporting events is communal singing quite an expression of a common will. Appropriate behavioral studies could provide clarity here. Overall, the positive effects of singing on health as well as social behavior seem to have been underestimated many times. (Fp)

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Strengthen the heart through cardio training

Picture: Burkard Vogt