Injuries and injury risk factors among members of the United States Army band

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Abstract
Background This project documented injuries in the professional musical performers of the US Army Band and used a multivariate approach to determine injury risk factors. Methods Injuries were obtained from a medical surveillance database. Administrative records from the Band provided fitness test scores, physical characteristics, performing unit (Blues, Ceremonial, Chorale, Chorus, Concert, Strings), and functional group (strings, winds, keyboard, vocal, percussion, brass). A questionnaire completed by 95% of the Band (n = 205) included queries on practice time, physical activity, tobacco use, and medical care. Results One or more injuries were diagnosed in 44 and 53% of Band members in the years 2004 and 2005, respectively. In univariate analysis, higher injury risk was associated with higher body mass index (BMI), less physical activity, prior injury, unit, functional group, and practice duration. In multivariate analysis, less self-rated physical activity, a prior injury, and functional group were independent risk factors. Conclusion In the US Army Band, about half the performers had a medical visit for an injury in a 1-year period and injury risk was associated with identifiable factors. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:951–961, 2007.