Lung volumes and breathing patterns in wind-instrument players

¹ Laboratory of Clinical Physiology, University Hospital, Leiden, The Netherlands, and the Departments of Medicine and Physiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia

Pulmonary function at rest and physiological performance during play was studied in 42 professional wind players on 15 different instruments. Vital capacity was larger than expected from age and height in all brass players. Other lung function results were similar to or better than those in control subjects. Breathing patterns are qualitatively similar in players of nearly all instruments; rapid and deep inspirations are followed by prolonged expirations through the instrument. In some instruments nearly the whole vital capacity may be used during play. No gross changes in arterialized capillary blood pH, Pco₂ and standard bicarbonate content occurred during hour's play. Mouth pressure on most instruments increased both with pitch and loudness and varied from 2.5 to 158 mm Hg. Air flow rates varied from less than 0.05 to over 1.6 liters/ sec. Performance on some, mainly brass, instruments is limited mechanically; on others, e.g., the oboe, breath-holding time is the limiting factor. Energy expended on the instrument (mouth pressure times flow rate) ranged from less than 0.1 up to 17 w.

Submitted on January 13, 1964

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