Expiratory flow in wind musicians, application to the consideration of distances against COVID-19

Abstract

Musicians who play wind instruments need effective lung function and adequate expiratory muscle strength to generate sound due to the vibration of the air column in their interior. The measurement of volumes and capacities constitutes an important step in pulmonary function tests. The objective of this study was to evaluate the expiratory flows in wind musicians, and to assess whether, with these data, conclusions can be drawn about the safety distance that health authorities are currently recommending for protection against COVID-19. The study was carried out in 27 musicians from the Soria’s (Spain) municipal band, and 19 controls, aged between 19 and 29 years. The forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), maximum expiratory flow (PEF) and the Tiffeneau index (FEV1/CVF) were analyzed. We observed that the CVF, FEV1 and PEF were lower in the group of musicians. The Tiffeneau index (the FEV1 / CVF ratio) in both groups remained within the physiological ranges of normality, without significant differences. We think that in the case of musicians, the safety distance currently established to prevent the spread of COVID-19 should be reconsidered, since expiratory flows are lower. In addition, the volume of air that remains in the instrument tubes and that constitutes the “dead space” must be considered. That is, in the musician, in addition to exerting less pressure for the respiratory flow, this is much more controlled.