Keeping the Voice Fit in the Group Fitness Industry: A Qualitative Study to Determine What Instructors Want in a Voice Education Program.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to provide a descriptive summary of (1) group fitness instructors' (GFIs') experiences of occupational voice use and education, and (2) the content and mode of delivery desired by GFIs in an education and training program. STUDY DESIGN: This is a qualitative inductive approach using a semi-structured interview. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight GFIs recruited via self-selection sampling. Participants were asked to comment on their experiences of voice use, voice education, and their preferences for future education and training. RESULT: Participants reported experiencing occupational voice difficulties, and cited inadequate voice education, faulty equipment, and apathetic fitness industry attitudes as core barriers to vocal health. Content focusing on vocal hygiene, safe occupational voice use, use of amplification equipment, and addressing industry attitudes to voice was desired by participants. A combination of face-to-face, web-based, and app-based delivery options was suggested. CONCLUSION: The data from this study should be considered when designing a vocal education and training package tailored to the needs of GFIs and the fitness industry.