I've been using that valsalva maneuver during singing as well.
and other musicians use it on Tubas and horns like that.
But now I'm reading it effects the voice and blood pressure?:
THE EFFECTS OF SINGING ON BLOOD PRESSURE IN CLASSICALLY TRAINED SINGERS A Monograph Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the
INTRODUCTION
The introduction of noninvasive methods of measuring blood pressure has created an abundance of research
concerning physical activity and its effect on blood pressure. Singing is an activity with physiological implications.
Within reasonable time, many or all aspects of human physiology while singing may be examined. It is the purpose
of this study to examine possible effects on blood pressure while singing in the Western classical tradition. As
teachers of singing, our goal should be a complete understanding of the way our vocal instrument works. Blood
pressure is a measurement that applies to all students. Accordingly, it is important that a teacher of singing havea
significant knowledge of possible high or low blood pressure levels and their effects on singing.
To this end, there are three physical states which the author has observed while teaching that could be blood
pressure related. Those three are:
1.) jugular venous distention or protruding veins in the singer’s neck;
2.) facial flushing or red skin
blotches appearing; and
3.) dizziness while singing
THORACIC PRESSURES AND BLOOD PRESSURE Exercise, a common
physiological event, can elicit cardiovascular changes not found at rest.50
There are three types of muscular contraction that are involved with exercise:
1.) isometric (static); 2.) isotonic (dynamic); and 3.) resistive (combination of
isometric and isotonic).51Isometri c exercise is muscular contraction without
movement. These straining type exercises create a greater increase in blood
flow due to compression on the peripheral arterial system.52An example of
isometric exercise is bench pressing weights without incorporating the
Valsalva maneuver.
Isotonic exercise, or exercise involving muscular contraction resulting in
movement, “primarily provides a volume load to the left ventricle, and the
cardiovascular response is proportional to the size of the muscle mass and
the intensity of the exercise.”54An example of isometric exercise is lifting
free weights. Resistive exercise combines both isometric and
isotonic muscle contraction that involves the Valsalva maneuver. An example
of resistive exercise is bench pressing with maximum voluntary contraction.
In a study led by McArdle, systolic and diastolic pressures were measured
during isometric, isotonic, and resistive exercise. See Table 3.1. Isometric
bench pressing was measured at 25, 50, 75, and 100% of the maximum
voluntary contraction (MVC). Isotonic exercise was measured during 25% and
50% of free weight lifting. Resistive exercise was measured during all out
bench pressing, both slow and fast, involving both isometric and isotonic
muscle contraction. The results displayed in Table 3.1 clearly demonstrate a
significant increase in both systolic and diastolic pressures during all phases
of exercise