Self–Reported Injuries and Illnesses in DIII Marching Band Members

Abstract

Marching band is a continuously growing event. With approximately 502 members, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugold Marching Band (BMB) holds almost as many students as university athletics, which has 686 athletes. Marching is a demanding activity and holds practices at a similar intensity level to that of sports teams. A significant difference is that with marching band not being included it athletics, there are not regulations on practice times nor is there medial staff accessible to the band. This means that while football wouldn't practice due to the heat, marching band still holds practice, which could result in injuries such as severe dehydration or even heat stroke. The purpose of this study was to gauge self-reported injury and illness rates among a marching band. It was also designed to figure whether there was a significant correlation between injury rates among band members how often they occur vs injury rates among athletes.