PREVALENCE OF MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES AMONG WORLD CLASS DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Drum and Bugle Corps (drum corps) is an evolving and physically demanding activity that has grown in recognition over the years. Drum corps is considered a performing art as a musical marching unit consisting of brass, percussion, and colorguard sections. There are limited studies available regarding the health of marching artists, particularly those involved in drum corps. Specifically, the burden of musculoskeletal injury (MSI) in drum corps is currently unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of MSI in a single drum corps participating at the World Class level in the Drum Corps International (DCI) competition circuit during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. A retrospective cross-sectional design was used to compare demographic and pre-participation variables between injured and non-injured participants. MSIs were evaluated and recorded by corps medical staff and extracted from the electronic medical record (EMR) for our analysis. MSI prevalence was summarized by season, type of injury and participant characteristics. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify demographic and pre-participation correlates of MSI. Overall MSI prevalence was 32.2% (N=149) and 26.2% (N=149) in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, respectively. Higher BMI (Adjusted OR: Obese = 0.88 [95% CI: 0.25 – 3.17]) and fewer years of DCI experience (Adjusted OR = 0.55 [95% CI: 0.37 – 0.84]) were associated with higher odds of MSI in the 2018 season. However, these factors were not associated with MSI in 2019 season. In conclusion, this study determined the MSI prevalence occurring in a World Class DCI drum corps to be considerable with substantial season variability. Lower BMI and attributes associated with more years of drum corps experience may be associated with lower odds of MSI.