Acute effects of singing on cardiovascular biomarkers.

Background: Singing is a physical activity involving components of the vagal nerves manifested as changes in cardiac autonomic regulation. Aims: The aim of this pilot study is to investigate the acute effects of singing on biomarkers of cardiovascular health. Methods: Adult subjects were recruited from cardiology clinics to participate in a single 90-min study visit. Vascular function was measured at the fingertips with peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) before and after singing to a 14-min video led by a voice expert. Heart rate variability (HRV) was measured with a chest strap sensor at baseline, during, and after singing. PAT measurements were expressed as reactive hyperemia index (RHI) and Framingham reactive hyperemia index (fRHI). Measures of HRV included root mean square of successive RR interval differences (RMSSD) and standard deviation of NN (or RR) intervals (SDNN). Results: Sixty subjects completed the study (68% female, mean age 61 ±13 years, mean BMI 32 ± 8). There was a significant increase in fRHI (1.88 ± 0.14 to 2.10 ± 0.14, p = 0.02) after singing with no significant change in the RHI (1.99 ± 0.10 to 2.12 ± 0.09, p = 0.22). There was a reduction in HRV during singing (compared to baseline) (RMSSD: 42.0 ± 5 to 32.6 ± 4, p = 0.004 and SDNN: 54 ± 4 to 33.5 ± 3, p = 0.009). HRV measures trended back toward baseline after singing. Conclusions: A short duration of singing improved vascular function acutely. Improvements were more substantial in subjects with abnormal baseline endothelial function. HRV patterns were similar to that of light-intensity exercise. Future studies should confirm favorable vascular adaptation to more sustained singing interventions. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifer: NCT03805529.

Effects of music on the cardiovascular system.

Although music is predominantly utilized for religious, enjoyment or entertainment purposes, it is gradually emerging as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for improving health outcomes in both healthy and diseased populations, especially in those with cardiovascular diseases. As such, music of various genres and types has been postulated to possess features that stimulate or inhibit the autonomic nervous system, which leads to variable effects on cardiovascular function. However, music intervention has not been adequately explored as a cardiovascular therapeutic modality due to the lack of extensive studies with quality methodology. Thus, the aim of this systematic review is to explore the available literature on the effect of music on the cardiovascular system, discuss the limitations of current research, and suggest future directions in this field.

Validity of Inertial Sensors for Assessing Balance Kinematics and Mobility during Treadmill-Based Perturbation and Dance Training.

Inertial sensors (IS) enable the kinematic analysis of human motion with fewer logistical limitations than the silver standard optoelectronic motion capture (MOCAP) system. However, there are no data on the validity of IS for perturbation training and during the performance of dance. The aim of this present study was to determine the concurrent validity of IS in the analysis of kinematic data during slip and trip-like perturbations and during the performance of dance. Seven IS and the MOCAP system were simultaneously used to capture the reactive response and dance movements of fifteen healthy young participants (Age: 18-35 years). Bland Altman (BA) plots, root mean square errors (RMSE), Pearson's correlation coefficients (R), and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to compare kinematic variables of interest between the two systems for absolute equivalency and accuracy. Limits of agreements (LOA) of the BA plots ranged from -0.23 to 0.56 and -0.21 to 0.43 for slip and trip stability variables, respectively. The RMSE for slip and trip stabilities were from 0.11 to 0.20 and 0.11 to 0.16, respectively. For the joint mobility in dance, LOA varied from -6.98-18.54, while RMSE ranged from 1.90 to 13.06. Comparison of IS and optoelectronic MOCAP system for reactive balance and body segmental kinematics revealed that R varied from 0.59 to 0.81 and from 0.47 to 0.85 while ICC was from 0.50 to 0.72 and 0.45 to 0.84 respectively for slip-trip perturbations and dance. Results of moderate to high concurrent validity of IS and MOCAP systems. These results were consistent with results from similar studies. This suggests that IS are valid tools to quantitatively analyze reactive balance and mobility kinematics during slip-trip perturbation and the performance of dance at any location outside, including the laboratory, clinical and home settings.

Kinematic analysis of dance-based exergaming: effect of song pace on center of mass and joint mobility.

[Purpose] To establish a quantitative kinematic assessment method for examining postural stability and physical mobility during dance-based exergaming. [Participants and Methods] Fifteen young adults participated in one session of dance-based exergaming assessment using segments from Kinect 'Just Dance 3' consisting of slow-, medium-, and fast-paced songs. A motion capture system was used to record full body kinematics, and a customized MATLAB code was used to compute the variables of interest, such as center of mass sway area, excursion, and peaks, as well as step count and joint excursions. [Results] Total center of mass sway area and excursion were significantly greater for slow-paced (total sway area=1,077.6 ± 209.9 cm2; total excursion=629.8 ± 380.5 cm) and fast-paced (total sway area=314.1 ± 133.6 cm2; total excursion=478.5 ± 149.0 cm) songs than for the medium-paced song (total sway area=212.9 ± 346.0 cm2; total excursion=311.2 ± 119.5 cm). Joint excursion was greater for the knee (ranging from: (slow to fast-paced songs: 55.5°-83.1°) and hip (slow to fast-paced: 40.6°-50.4°) than for the ankle (slow to fast-paced: 32.2°-46.7°) for all three dance paces. Additionally, step count was significantly, positively correlated with song pace (r=0.52). [Conclusion] The current study was able to quantify and provide normative values for postural control and joint mobility among healthy young adults during dance-based exergaming with 3 hip-hop songs of different paces from the Microsoft Kinect 'Just Dance 3'. The results indicated that different paces (intensities) of dance songs corresponded to distinct movement kinematic trends, particularly with slow-paced song having the maximum center of mass excursion and lowest joint excursion, while fast-paced song exhibits the reverse, along with medium-paced song exhibiting the highest hip and ankle joint angle excursions, while the fast-paced song had increased knee joint angle excursions.

Ergometer cycling improves the ambulatory function and cardiovascular fitness of stroke patients-a randomized controlled trial.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to assess the effects of ergometer cycling on the ambulatory function and cardiovascular fitness of patients with stroke in the sub-acute phase. [Participants and Methods] Twenty (20) patients with stroke in the sub-acute phase were randomly allocated to either an ergometer cycling group (n=10) or a control group (n=10). The experimental (ergometer cycling) group performed cycling exercises in addition to conventional physiotherapy for 60 minutes per session, three times per week for 8 weeks. The control group only received conventional physiotherapy for the same duration as the experimental group. Assessments of participants' functional ambulatory category, ambulatory velocity, 6-minute walk test, heart rate and blood pressure were conducted at baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention. [Results] The means of the ambulatory velocity and distance walked in 6 minutes were significantly higher in the ergometer cycling group than those of the control group at week 8. However, the increase in the FAC score was not significant. The means of heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures significantly decreased in the ergometer cycling group compared to the control group at the end of the 8-week of intervention. [Conclusion] This study demonstrated that ergometer cycling improved the ambulatory function and cardiovascular fitness of patients with stroke in the sub-acute phase.