BMI Changes among Marching Artists: A Longitudinal Study

In a series of longitudinal analyses, we examined body mass index (BMI) of drum and bugle corps performers at the beginning (Time 1) and end (Time 2) of a competitive season and again at a 1-year follow-up (Time 3). Utilizing an archival database, BMI data were recorded for 501 marching arts performers, representing four world-class drum and bugle corps. Significant reductions in BMI were found between Time 1 and Time 2 for performers in all sections (i.e., brass, percussion, and color guard). Archival data from 92 performers, representing three World-Class drum and bugle units, revealed BMI significantly increased from Time 2 to Time 3. In an effort to identify possible personal influences on the changes in BMI found between Times 2 and 3, 50 performers from one drum and bugle corps provided archival data on a measures of performers’ athletic identity (i.e., the strength and exclusivity of one’s identification with the athlete role) along with BMI. Correlational analyses revealed that performers’ athletic identity negatively related to BMI change from Time 1 and Time 3 and Times 2 and 3 (i.e., stronger athletic identity, lower BMI change). Practical implications are discussed.

An Investigation of Musical Performance Anxiety in the Marching Arts

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of musical performance anxiety (MPA) in marching artists. The marching arts include high school and college marching bands, drum and bugle corps, and indoor color guard and percussion ensembles. Drawing on a sample of 780 world class drum and bugle corps performers, we examined the prevalence of somatic and cognitive symptoms of MPA. We also examined differences in endorsement of symptoms by performing section (i.e., brass players, percussionists, and dancers/color guard) and gender. Results revealed a relatively low prevalence of MPA symptoms as compared with prior studies of adolescent and young adult performers. In addition, color guard performers reported significantly greater magnitudes of somatic MPA symptoms than brass players, and female performers reported greater magnitudes of cognitive MPA symptoms than their male counterparts. Practical recommendations are discussed.

Big Five Personality Traits and Marching Music Injuries

In a sample of 155 world-class drum and bugle corps performers, we studied marching music-related injuries in relation to the Big Five personality traits (agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, extraversion, and openness). Correlation and multiple regression analyses revealed concurrent relationships between the Big Five personality traits and self-reported injury. A linear combination of the Big Five traits accounted for 13% of the total variance in activity-related injuries. Two traits, openness and emotional stability, contributed significant unique variance in self-reported, marching music-related injuries. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.