What activity is known to create great amounts of force on the vocal folds?

The activity that is known to create great amounts of force on the vocal folds is laughing. When a person laughs, the vocal folds are subjected to high levels of subglottic pressure, which is the pressure below the vocal folds, and as a result, they come together with greater force. This can lead to a more vigorous and forceful vibration of the vocal folds compared to other activities. The explosive nature of laughter requires a sudden and intense closure of the vocal folds, generating substantial force in a short burst.

In comparison, while activities like whispering and reading aloud engage the vocal folds, they do so at lower intensity levels. Whispering, in particular, actually requires less force because it involves the vocal folds remaining apart, allowing air to escape without significant vibration. Reading aloud may involve varying levels of vocal fold tension and force depending on the loudness and emotion being conveyed, but it typically does not reach the same intensity as laughter. Singing can also exert significant force on the vocal folds, especially with powerful singing styles, but the nature of laughter—characterized by its suddenness and volume—often leads to greater forceful impact.