Fluency disorders refer to conditions that interfere with your speech flow. This includes stuttering or any consistent repetitions, blocks or prolonged pauses. Fluency disorders usually begin in childhood, and most children overcome them as they grow, often with speech therapy. Adults may also suffer from fluency disorders, which although more difficult to treat, can also be cured with speech therapy. Intense breathing during exercise does impact speech fluency, but this impact can be minimized with speech-therapy techniques.
Physiological Stress
Exercise is a form of physiological stress, because your heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate increase, along with a series of hormonal releases. According to T.D Kehoe in his book "No Miracle Cures: A Multifactoral Guide to Stuttering Therapy," physiological stress does not typically affect fluency disorders. However, since breathing is closely related to speech pattern, increased breathing rates due to exercise have an effect on speech fluency.
Diaphragmic Breathing
Deep, intense breathing caused by physical activity activates your diaphragm. Your diaphragm contracts to enlarge your respiratory cavity and allow more oxygen to enter your lungs. If you are not used to controlling your diaphragm, this may have a negative effect on your speech fluency. Many speech therapists use control of the diaphragm to improve fluency disorders. If you have been trained in breathing and speaking with your diaphragm by your speech pathologist, you may find your speech improves with intense breathing.
Valsalva Mechanism
Breathing during exercise is important, in order to avoid the Valsalva maneuver. Avoiding the Valsalva maneuver is even more important for stutterers, because it reinforces fluency issues. The Valsalva maneuver occurs when you hold your breath to increase the pressure in your chest and abdominal cavities to assist with physical efforts, and it is common during weightlifting. Ensure that you are breathing properly during exercise by exhaling during exertion and letting your breathing rate increase naturally.
Exercise Performance
According to Cincinnati Children's Hospital, fluency disorders are caused by an underlying neurological dysfunction. Children and adults who stutter show no differences in intellectual, emotional or physical abilities. Although fluency may be affected by increased breathing rates, overall sports or physical performance will not be impacted. Exercise and sports participation may have extra emotional benefits for children with fluency disorders, keeping self-esteem high and creating positive interactions with their peers.
References
- Communication Therapy Associates; Fluency Disorders (Stuttering); Carla Bernier, M.A., CCC-SLP and Abigail Jaffe, M.A., CCC-SLP
- "No Miracle Cures: A Multifactoral Guide to Stuttering Therapy"; T.D Kehoe; 2006
- Valsalva Stuttering Network; Beating the Stuttering Block; William D. Parry, J.D., M.A., CCC-SLP; 2010
- Cincinnati Childrens Hospital; Insurance Fact Sheet: Fluency; 2006
