La gestione integrata del carico vocale e fisiologico negli allenatori sportivi: applicazioni del Talk Test, della scala di Borg e strategie di prevenzione della disfonia

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the topic of vocal health in sports coaches, considering the voice as an essential professional tool within coaching activities. Sports coaches are frequently exposed to risk factors such as environmental noise, prolonged voice use, operational stress, and unfavorable environmental conditions—elements that can contribute to the onset of vocal fatigue and
dysphonic disorders.
Building upon the results of the study by Di Luca (2024), published in the Journal of Advanced Health Care, this work develops a narrative review aimed at integrating the concept of vocal load with the primary intensity monitoring tools used in sports sciences, specifically the Talk Test, the Borg scale, and the RPE (Rating of Perceived Exertion).
The discussion explores the relationship between respiration, ventilation, and vocal production, highlighting how increased exercise intensity can affect the coach's communication and lead to an increase in perceived vocal load. From this perspective, an integrated theoretical model is proposed that complementarily considers physiological load, perceived load, and vocal load.
Furthermore, the thesis analyzes the potential preventive, organizational, and managerial implications of this integrated approach, focusing on the role of the speech-language pathologist in sports services and the need to develop strategies for monitoring and safeguarding coaches' vocal health.
Finally, an applied protocol is presented, aimed at the assessment, monitoring, and prevention of vocal overload in the sports context, with the goal of promoting the coach's well-being and the sustainability of their professional performance.