A Survey on High School Band Director Preparedness for Injury and Injury Prevention in Marching Band
Open Access
- Author:
- Henry, Marshall
- Area of Honors:
- Music Education
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Music Education
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Gregory Abdul Drane, Thesis Supervisor
Linda Carol Porter Thornton, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- Music
Music Education
Marching Band
Band
Sports Medicine
Athletic Training
High School Athletics - Abstract:
- It is well established that marching band members are participating at a highly athletic level when performing and practicing their activity. However, high school marching band members may be disadvantaged due to their teachers’ limited understanding and knowledge of injury and injury prevention associated with activity. This study aimed to determine if high school marching members in Pennsylvania are vulnerable to injury due to lack of injury prevention. Specifically, the study investigates high school marching band directors and their preparedness to deal with injury and injury prevention. To test the hypothesis that high school marching band directors are not providing enough support for their band members, an online survey was distributed to practicing high school marching band directors in Pennsylvania. A questionnaire with narrative and quantified questions were included in the survey. Questions were divided into the categories of school demographics, band camp, regular rehearsal and injury and injury prevention. The results showed that high school marching band directors are looking for more support to prevent injury within their program, however unlike the hypothesis, most injuries to marching band members happen outside of the program. These results suggest that the potential for injury in marching band exists, however members are more likely to get injured outside of rehearsal or performance. Thus, a high school marching band director needs to ensure proper injury prevention happens in their program to not cause a higher risk for injury. The research suggests that band directors would benefit from more professional development or professional preparation opportunities to learn more about injury prevention methods within their high school marching bands.