MAXIMUM RESPIRATORY PRESSURES IN TRUMPET PLAYERS

We studied whether experienced trumpet players can develop higher pres sures with their inspiratory and expiratory muscles than untrained sub jects. Twelve male trumpet players (mean age, 22.4 +/- 3.3 years) part icipated in the study. All of them had played the trumpet for at least 4 years and were nonsmokers. Twelve healthy male subjects (mean age, 23.3 +/- 3.1 years) participated as a control group. There were no dif ferences in spirometric parameters between both groups. Maximum respir atory pressures were higher in the trumpet player group (trumpet playe rs: Pimax 151.3 +/- 19.8 cm H2O; PFmax, 234.6 +/- 53.9 cm H2O; control group: Pmax, 106.7 +/- 10.4 cm H2O; Pemax, 189.6 +/- 14.6 cm H2O). We concluded that in young trumpet players, maximum respiratory pressure s are higher than in young people who do not play wind instruments. Th is is most probably a consequence of respiratory muscle training with a wind instrument.