Introduction

Author

Sarah Morris

Published

February 19, 2025

1 Introduction

Wind instrumentalists rely heavily on efficient respiratory function to create and maintain sound production (Bouhuys, 1964). The coordination of breathing mechanics is fundamental to performance, requiring precise control of airflow, pressure, and volume to achieve desired musical outcomes. Despite this critical relationship between respiration and performance, the specific training of respiratory muscles has not been universally integrated into traditional wind instrument pedagogy.

Respiratory muscle training (RMT) represents a targeted approach to strengthening the muscles involved in breathing, including the diaphragm, intercostal muscles, and accessory respiratory muscles. While RMT has been well-established in clinical settings for patients with respiratory conditions and in sports performance for athletes, its application among wind instrumentalists remains less standardized and researched.

This study aims to investigate the current landscape of respiratory muscle training among wind instrumentalists by examining four key areas: demographic characteristics of wind instrumentalists who do and do not engage in RMT, specific RMT behaviors and practices, opinions and attitudes toward respiratory muscles and their targeted training, and experiences of breathlessness during wind instrument performance. The following four sections summarize the key findings:

1.1 Demographics

Participants ranged across gender categories, with 750 identifying as Male, 725 as Female, 68 as Non-binary, and 15 not specified. This distribution provides the context for subsequent subgroup comparisons of RMT uptake and instrument-specific experiences. Understanding the demographic profile of wind instrumentalists who engage in respiratory muscle training provides important context for interpreting training behaviors and outcomes. This section examines key demographic variables including gender, age, geographical distribution, educational background, professional roles, years of playing experience, and performance frequency. Additionally, we analyze the prevalence of various physical conditions and disorders that may influence respiratory function and training approaches. These demographic insights allow us to identify patterns of RMT adoption across different subgroups within the wind instrumentalist community.

1.2 RMT Behaviors

Patterns of current and past engagement with respiratory muscle training are described, including frequency, duration, and training modalities employed by wind instrumentalists. The practices and methodologies employed by wind instrumentalists for respiratory muscle training vary considerably. This section explores the prevalence of different RMT approaches, including the use of specialized devices, body-based exercises, and instrument-specific techniques. We examine the frequency and consistency of these practices, the specific devices utilized, and how these methods are incorporated into regular practice routines. Understanding these behavioral patterns provides insight into how wind instrumentalists conceptualize and implement respiratory training within their broader musical development.

1.3 Opinions

Wind instrumentalists’ attitudes toward the role of respiratory muscles in performance and their beliefs about the potential benefits and barriers to adopting targeted RMT are presented. These opinions inform the feasibility and acceptability of integrating RMT into routine practice. Wind instrumentalists’ attitudes toward respiratory muscle training significantly influence their likelihood of adopting such practices. This section investigates performers’ perceptions regarding the importance of respiratory muscles in performance, beliefs about whether playing an instrument alone provides sufficient respiratory training, and opinions about the potential benefits of targeted RMT. Additionally, we explore perceived barriers to RMT adoption and how these opinions vary based on experience level, educational background, and other demographic factors. These insights illuminate the current mindset within the wind instrumentalist community regarding respiratory training.

1.4 Breathlessness

The reported frequency, intensity, and situational contexts of breathlessness episodes during wind performance are analyzed, highlighting the relationship between instrumental demands and respiratory effort. The experience of breathlessness during wind instrument performance represents a common challenge that may indicate inefficient respiratory muscle function. This section examines the prevalence, frequency, and nature of breathlessness symptoms reported by wind instrumentalists. We explore performers’ awareness of their breathing mechanics during playing, the specific symptoms experienced (such as air hunger, inability to complete phrases, and breathing discomfort), and how these experiences correlate with RMT practices. Understanding these symptoms provides crucial context for evaluating the potential benefits of respiratory muscle training for wind instrumentalists.

Together, these four result areas provide a comprehensive overview of how demographic factors relate to RMT behaviours, shape opinions on targeted training, and influence experiences of breathlessness among wind instrumentalists during performance. This foundation will guide the discussion of practical implications for pedagogy, performance health, and future research directions in respiratory muscle training for musicians.

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Respiratory muscle training (RMT) represents a targeted approach to strengthening the muscles involved in breathing, including the diaphragm, intercostal muscles, and accessory respiratory muscles. While RMT has been well-established in clinical settings for patients with respiratory conditions and in sports performance for athletes, its application among wind instrumentalists remains less standardized and researched. This study aims to investigate the current landscape of respiratory muscle training among wind instrumentalists by examining four key areas: demographic characteristics of wind instrumentalists who do and do not engage in RMT, specific RMT behaviors and practices, opinions and attitudes toward respiratory muscles and their targeted training, and experiences of breathlessness during wind instrument performance. The following four sections summarize the key findings: ## Demographics Participants ranged across gender categories, with 750 identifying as Male, 725 as Female, 68 as Non-binary, and 15 not specified. This distribution provides the context for subsequent subgroup comparisons of RMT uptake and instrument-specific experiences. Understanding the demographic profile of wind instrumentalists who engage in respiratory muscle training provides important context for interpreting training behaviors and outcomes. This section examines key demographic variables including gender, age, geographical distribution, educational background, professional roles, years of playing experience, and performance frequency. Additionally, we analyze the prevalence of various physical conditions and disorders that may influence respiratory function and training approaches. These demographic insights allow us to identify patterns of RMT adoption across different subgroups within the wind instrumentalist community. ## RMT Behaviors Patterns of current and past engagement with respiratory muscle training are described, including frequency, duration, and training modalities employed by wind instrumentalists. The practices and methodologies employed by wind instrumentalists for respiratory muscle training vary considerably. This section explores the prevalence of different RMT approaches, including the use of specialized devices, body-based exercises, and instrument-specific techniques. We examine the frequency and consistency of these practices, the specific devices utilized, and how these methods are incorporated into regular practice routines. Understanding these behavioral patterns provides insight into how wind instrumentalists conceptualize and implement respiratory training within their broader musical development. ## Opinions Wind instrumentalists’ attitudes toward the role of respiratory muscles in performance and their beliefs about the potential benefits and barriers to adopting targeted RMT are presented. These opinions inform the feasibility and acceptability of integrating RMT into routine practice. Wind instrumentalists' attitudes toward respiratory muscle training significantly influence their likelihood of adopting such practices. This section investigates performers' perceptions regarding the importance of respiratory muscles in performance, beliefs about whether playing an instrument alone provides sufficient respiratory training, and opinions about the potential benefits of targeted RMT. Additionally, we explore perceived barriers to RMT adoption and how these opinions vary based on experience level, educational background, and other demographic factors. These insights illuminate the current mindset within the wind instrumentalist community regarding respiratory training. ## Breathlessness The reported frequency, intensity, and situational contexts of breathlessness episodes during wind performance are analyzed, highlighting the relationship between instrumental demands and respiratory effort. The experience of breathlessness during wind instrument performance represents a common challenge that may indicate inefficient respiratory muscle function. This section examines the prevalence, frequency, and nature of breathlessness symptoms reported by wind instrumentalists. We explore performers' awareness of their breathing mechanics during playing, the specific symptoms experienced (such as air hunger, inability to complete phrases, and breathing discomfort), and how these experiences correlate with RMT practices. Understanding these symptoms provides crucial context for evaluating the potential benefits of respiratory muscle training for wind instrumentalists. Together, these four result areas provide a comprehensive overview of how demographic factors relate to RMT behaviours, shape opinions on targeted training, and influence experiences of breathlessness among wind instrumentalists during performance. This foundation will guide the discussion of practical implications for pedagogy, performance health, and future research directions in respiratory muscle training for musicians.