Purpose: In the presence of background noise during matches and training sessions. volleyball coaches often have to raise their voices to a high and uncontrolled level in order to make themselves heard. Thus, they end up being at risk for voice disorders due to the incorrect use of their voices. Although there are studies in the literature on voice awareness, voice use and voice related knowledge of athletes and coaches, studies on this subject are limited. This research aims to identify voice problems in volleyball coaches and determine the effectiveness of vocal function exercises and vocal hygiene therapy if voice disorders are present. The study also aims to examine the differences in voice problems between female and male participants.
Method: This study is a descriptive, cross-sectional therapy efficacy study. The study was conducted with volleyball coaches residing in Istanbul. Turkey. The participants included 16 coaches, (7 female, 8 male; mean age 26,22±4,86). Data were collected using Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) and Voice Fatigue Scale (VFS). Additionally, acoustic and perceptual voice analyses were carried out. After comprehensive assessment, coaches received therapy consisting of vocal hygiene and vocal function exercises for a 4 week period. The same data collection process was repeated at the end of four weeks and participants’ pre-test and post-test scores were compared. The data was also analysed in terms of gender.
Results: The use of vocal function exercises and vocal hygiene therapy resulted in a significant difference between the pre- ant post-test scoresin terms of the Voice Handicap Index-10 (p = 0,007), Voice Fatigue Scale’s vocal fatigue (p=0,004) and physical discomfort (p=0.004) subtests, maximum phonation time (p=0,031), jitter (p = 0,036) and NHR (p=0,001). Significant differences were found the physical discomfort, MPT, and jitter variables of the VFS in healthy male participants. In healthy female participants, only the vocal fatigue variable showed a significant difference when pre- and post-test scores were compared
Conclusion: It is crucial for voice professionals to give priority to vocal hygiene and raise their awareness in order to prevent voice disorders or resolve present problems. There is a lack of research on volleyball coaches' vocal awareness and the benefits they derive from voice therapy. Prior to therapy the responses of the volleyball coaches who participated in the study were found to demonstrate limited awareness and knowledge related to voice in their responses. Given the findings of this study, further research can be designed with a larger sample size and including coaches of diverse sports to enhance knowledge on this topic.
Keywords
dysphonia, therapy effectiveness, vocal function exercises, vocal hygiene
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