Playing the flute could reduce the risk of developing sleep apnoea, according to new findings presented at the Sleep and Breathing Conference in Barcelona.

A report in The Times of India says researchers believe that playing wind instruments can increase muscle tone in the upper airways - a common side effect of becoming proficient with such an instument.

The scientists who conducted the research say the findings could mean a cheap and non-method of preventing the condition developing in those who might be at risk.

Sleep apnoea is commonly associated with heavy snoring, where the muscles in the upper airways of the throat relax so much while a person is sleeping, they can collapse and block airflow.

The condition can be dangerous for those who develop it, leading to radical medical solutions like the use of sleep apnoea masks.

The authors of the study tested the lung function of 64 people who played a wind instrument and compared them the results to 65 people who didn't.

All participants were also asked to complete a questionnaire designed to assess the risk of eventually developing sleep disorders.

They found that the people who played the wind instruments had a much lower risk of having sleep apnoea in the future.

Peculiarly, the difference didn't come from the lung function test.

Instead, the scientists theorise the playing of a wind instrument, which requires greater control over the muscles in the upper airway to produce a more pleasant sound, might help stop the collapse of soft tissue and muscle that is commonly associated with sleep apnoea.