Date of Award

January 2020

Degree Type

Open Access Thesis

Document Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Exercise and Sport Science

First Advisor

Aaron D. Sciascia

Department Affiliation

Exercise and Sport Science

Second Advisor

Michael T. Lane

Department Affiliation

Exercise and Sport Science

Third Advisor

Timothy D. Wiggins

Department Affiliation

Music

Abstract

Objective: It is known that a higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased risk of injury, but it is unknown whether there is an association between increased risk of injury and body composition. Currently the data comes from competitive sports, with little data in performing arts, specifically marching band. The primary aim of this study was to determine if body composition assessments can predict musculoskeletal injury (MSI) occurrence in marching band participants. Methods: Body composition was measured using a duel X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan at the beginning of both the fall 2018 and 2019 seasons. Data on injuries were compiled from the electronic medical records (EMR) system kept by the athletic trainer. Prior to getting a DXA scan, subjects were weighed on a Tanita scale to determine initial body weight. Then subjects were scanned by the DXA to gather body composition data. Results: After using statistical software to run predictive analysis, it was found that body composition was not a predictor of injury. The only variable that was predictive of injury (p=0.043) was sex, females being 2.9 times more likely to be injured. Conclusion: In this sample of band performers, body composition was not predictive of injury. This was not consistent with previous literature which found that a higher BMI was a risk factor for sustaining an MSI. Additionally, this association between injury and BMI does not mean that there is causation and could be misleading in injury predictions based off of BMI. Clinically, the knowledge that female band performers are 2.9 times more likely to be injured could help influence the clinician’s on field injury prevention decisions.

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