The Department of Defense is the largest employer of full-time musicians. In the U.S. military, many musicians experience unique occupational exposures such as extended periods of standing, sitting, and marching for rehearsals and performances, static and non-neutral postures, and a variety of repetitive motions while playing instruments. These exposures are in addition to physical training and fitness standards required of U.S. Army soldiers.
Methods: An electronic survey was administered to active-duty U.S. Army Band musicians. The survey collected demographics, personal characteristics, Army Physical Fitness Test performance, occupational demands, health behaviors, and injuries from October 2017 to December 2018. Survey responses were combined with medical and physical fitness performance records. Descriptive statistics were reported and factors associated with injuries were investigated.
Results: There were 465 Army Band members in this population, with approximately half (49%) completing the survey. Most survey respondents (81%) reported an injury in the past year, which they predominantly attributed to overuse (54%). Leading reported activities resulting in injury included running for physical training (21%), repetitive movements while playing an instrument (11%), and standing while playing (11%). A majority of survey respondents (60%) also had a medical encounter for an injury. Factors significantly associated with injury among men were lower aerobic fitness and higher body fat percentage; additional unadjusted factors associated with injury among all Army Band soldiers included female sex, older age, and longer periods of marching and standing while playing.
Conclusions: Injury prevention initiatives for Army Band musicians should focus on the reduction of overuse and repetitive motion injuries. Suggested prevention strategies include balanced physical training, ergonomic adjustments, rehearsal breaks, and leadership support for injury prevention efforts.