Bayhealth Hand Therapist Develops Guidelines for Marching Bands, Color Guards

High school and college students who participate in marching bands and color guards are susceptible to injuries like any other athlete, including sprains, lacerations and concussions. To help performing athletes combat these issues, Bayhealth Hand Therapist Mary L. Mundrane-Zweiacher, PT, ATC, CHT, worked with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) to create guidelines to ensure safety during practice, parades and competitions.

“Students who are in marching bands participate in rigorous practices in an effort to put together perfect routines. It takes a lot of drive and determination to do this,” Mundrane-Zweiacher said. “Like their fellow athletes, they suffer from injuries too, which is why it’s important we provide tools to keep them healthy throughout the performance season.” Mundrane-Zweiacher is has been an athletic trainer with college and Olympic teams, but when her son became a trumpet player, she realized how many hours of physical activity are involved with competitive marching bands. She is currently an athletic trainer with the Towson University marching band and works with the Middletown High School band.

Common injuries for musicians, Mundrane-Zweiacher said, are hand and wrist injuries because of overuse from prolonged playing and practicing. She also sees sprained ankles from uneven fields and lacerations from instruments. It’s not uncommon for color guard members to suffer from concussions. “These performances include throwing rifles, or visual props, over their heads while marching in precise, choreographed routines with many other students. There are times where a student is hit in the head with an instrument or hurts an ankle,” Mundrane-Zweiacher said.

The guidelines she developed with NATA focus on preparation to minimize the incidence of injuries and include the following:

• A pre-participation exam to determine if a student is physically able to participate
• An emergency action plan for managing injuries, especially when off-site
• Practice proper hydration
• Good posture prevents the risk of injuries
• Use proper techniques with musical instruments to avoid ergonomic injuries

There are also guidelines for when competition and marching bands are in summer preseason such as acclimating to the heat, wearing lightweight clothing and seeking shade.

When it comes to returning to a sport, marching band or any exercise, Mundrane-Zweiacher says it’s not uncommon to experience muscle soreness. However, when students have muscle soreness that persists or severely limits daily functions, medical attention is necessary. “Soreness goes away in a day or two, but if it prevents you from walking or doing anything, you should consult with a medical professional such as the school’s athletic trainer. We don’t ever want our athletes to experience pain,” she said. “Being in the marching band is a commitment from those students. They’re true athletes that must have strength and endurance to do formations while playing beautiful music.”

Visit Bayhealth.org/Outpatient-Therapy to learn more how Bayhealth can help your student athletes who suffer from hand injuries and concussions. To be matched with a Bayhealth physician, call 1-866-BAY-DOCS.