Klarinet Archive - Posting 000401.txt from 1998/08

From: "Arnold Teres" <johnathant@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] The Valsalva Maneuver and Heart Stoppage
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1998 10:04:50 -0400

My physiology is a bit old but as I recollect the Valsalva maneuver is
usually described as "straining at stools" which may be indelicate but it is
a good way to describe the muscles used. The maneuver is taught to pilots or
others exposed to high "G" forces since it helps to "remove" blood from
peripheral areas and temporarily increases blood pressure and blood flow.
This can help prevent "black outs" during "high G" aircraft maneuvers or
rocket launches.
For wind musicians the Valsalva maneuver is probably a bad thing to do. The
maneuver raises then drops blood pressure and in response slows and then
raises heart rate. Both of these are very distracting and the rapid drop in
blood pressure following a strong Valsalva can cause a standing person to
faint. The maneuver also compromises ventilation and this is bad for a wind
player. I was taught "never be out of breath" because it usually indicated
poor phrasing and caused poor tone and bad intonation.
Blowing against any resistance IS a kind of Valsalva maneuver but how you
respond is a matter of degree. If the resistance is great and the muscular
force is strong then you will experience the full effects of blood pressure
and heart rate changes. If you have to push that hard to blow your clarinet
then there is something very wrong with your equipment. I can't speak for
trumpets - I have never blown one.

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