Vocal Indicators of Size, Shape and Body Composition in Polish Men.

OBJECTIVES: From a human evolution perspective, identifying a link between physique and vocal quality could demonstrate dual signaling in terms of the health and biological condition of an individual. In this regard, this study investigates the relationship between men's body size, shape, and composition, and their vocal characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven anthropometric measurements, using seven indices, were carried out with 80 adult Polish male participants, while the speech analysis adopted a voice recording procedure that involved phonetically recording vowels /ɑː/, /ɛː/, /iː/, /ɔː/, /uː/ to define the voice acoustic components used in Praat software. RESULTS: The relationship between voice parameters and body size/shape/composition was found. The analysis indicated that the formants and their derivatives were useful parameters for prediction of height, weight, neck, shoulder, waist, and hip circumferences. Fundamental frequency (F0) was negatively correlated with neck circumference at Adam's apple level and body height. Moreover neck circumference and F0 association was observed for the first time in this paper. The association between waist circumference and formant component showed a net effect. In addition, the formant parameters showed significant correlations with body shape, indicating a lower vocal timbre in men with a larger relative waist circumference. DISCUSSION: Men with lower vocal pitch had wider necks, probably a result of larynx size. Furthermore, a greater waist circumference, presumably resulting from abdominal fat distribution in men, correlated with a lower vocal timbre. While these results are inconclusive, they highlight new directions for further research.

Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment of mandibular distal occlusion and the progress of therapy: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated a relationship between dental malocclusion and posture defects. The aims of the study were to present (1) the effect of a physiotherapeutic approach to a patient with a distal occlusion defect with the use of a set of exercises to strengthen the muscles responsible for mandibular protrusion, and (2) a non-invasive and easy-to-use method to monitor the effects of therapy. METHODS: Five year old girl with a distal occlusion and with a low basic postural tone was referred to physiotherapy. A therapeutic program i.a. concerning a strengthening of the temporomandibular joint muscles with the use of a flexible tape was proposed. To assess the functional changes of the masticatory apparatus a photoanthropometric method was used. In side-face photos, proportions of 2 linear measurements and values of two angles on the first day of therapy, after 2 and after 4 months of exercises, with the mandible located freely and in the maximum protrusion were compared. RESULTS: A comparison of indices and angles showed a marked improvement in mandibular mobility already after two and four months of the exercises. Using the elastic resistance tape in addition to general developmental exercises allowed for increasing the mobility in the temporomandibular joint. CONCLUSION: Malocclusion should not be considered separately, without taking into account the body posture. The work of the physiotherapist can benefit the orthodontist, correcting postural defects and consequently affecting malocclusion. A comparison of linear measurements and angles can be used to assess the progress of the therapy.