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HvG'S HEARTBEAT

Hubert von Goisern's heartbeat

ORF April 2001

Research scientists from the Joanneum Research investigating the connection between heart rate and music win a famous musician as a test person: Hubert von Goisern

For science on the stage

HvGThe well-known singer, on tour with his newest CD underwent a heart test on the stage at a live concert in the Graz Orpheum.

The human organism reacts extremely sensitively to the environment. During a concert, the audience and musician are exposed to a circulatory strain, which is connected to the music being played.

It begins with stage fright

Scientist and HvGThe circulation is already under a huge strain before the show - through the stage fright that seizes even such a stage-going professional as Hubert von Goisern: "I can't speak to anyone, I really just want people to leave me in peace. I always just nod and grin and say yes, yes, that's all right," the singer laughs.

A concert is hard work

The musician is equipped with special measuring instruments and via sensors on the skin, particular results of the circulation will be recorded for one day. The result was astounding for the research scientists. The two hour appearance, broken by a twenty minute interval, is hard work says Professor Maximilian Moser from Joanneum Research.

Bigger strain than running a marathon

"The physiological data says that it is a peak output that will be maintained over two and a half hours. The heart rate is above the result for marathon runners. You can see that the maximum heart frequency at the high point of the concert exceeds 150. You can also see from this that it is an enormous strain on the musician's body.

The symphony of the heart

HvG liveMusicians acquire a change in circulation by which the rhythm of the heartbeat is influence. Prof. Moser even talks of a symphony of the heart:

"It goes here like a real symphony, to a gradual rise until the first high point of the heart rate, then there is a break and then the second part in which the absolute high point comes. On the basis of examination by the research scientists from Joanneum Research, the musician will receive special advice on how he could better avoid the strain before and during the concert.