Vocal problems among aerobic instructors and aerobic participants.

A questionnaire to determine the characteristics of vocal problems was distributed to 75 female aerobic instructors and 75 female aerobic participants ranging in age from 20 to 40 years. Of the questionnaires returned, 50 from each group, with completed replies to all questions, were selected for inclusion in the study. The questionnaires, constructed by the investigator, included pertinent questions relative to length of teaching/participating experience, average number of classes taught/participated in weekly, number of classes taught/participated sequentially, type of aerobics, medical history and history of vocal problems and/or conditions, water intake daily and during instructing/participating, sleep habits, and smoking habits. The results indicated that aerobic instructors generally experienced more hoarseness and episodes of voice loss during and after instructing and a significantly higher prevalence of nodules. The group differences in reported unrelated episodes of hoarseness, however, were quite similar. The results suggest that aerobic instructors experience a higher prevalence of vocal problems when compared to individuals participating in aerobics.