The human speech production system evolved as a result of adaptation to biological factors, a key one of which is upright body posture. Our project will illuminate the nature of this adaptation, by investigating how speech control mechanisms change when our posture changes from upright to supine (lying on the back) to inverted (tilted head-down at an angle). To accomplish this, we will collect a substantial data set of physiological markers using an innovative recording protocol - capturing simultaneously data on breathing, vocal fold vibration, and tongue and lip movement. By studying the intricate coordination between these components, this research will uncover fundamental but so far unexplored principles of speech production. These findings will enhance biomechanical models of speech production and contribute to broader movement control theories, encompassing both gross and fine motor skills.

Beyond its theoretical impact, the project has significant practical implications, including best practices for vocal performance in supine and inverted positions, therapy of excessive breathiness, and the role of body position in health monitoring applications using speech. This ambitious four-year project will be conducted by an international team of researchers from Sweden, Germany, and the UK, including a unique combination of well-established and cutting-edge data collection techniques.