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Published on: June 5, 2019
Heart rate in professional musicians.
Claudia Iñesta1, Nicolás Terrados, Daniel García
1Centro de Salud de Contrueces-Vega, Gijón, Spain. joseantonio.perez@sespa.princast.es.
Summary
Professional musicians experience significantly elevated heart rates during performances, indicating a higher cardiac demand than previously understood. This research highlights the physical exertion involved in playing music professionally.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Music Performance Physiology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Limited research exists on heart rate (HR) responses during music playing, with controversial findings.
- Previous studies have not adequately captured the HR demands of professional musicians in real-world settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the heart rate (HR) response of professional musicians during actual work activities.
- To quantify the cardiac demand experienced by musicians across different performance scenarios.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-two professional musicians (ages 15-71) were monitored using heart rate monitors (Polar PE4000).
- Data was collected during rehearsals, practice sessions, and public concerts.
- Maximum Theoretical Heart Rate (MTHR) was calculated (220 - age) to determine %MTHR for recorded HR.
Main Results:
- Musicians exhibited heightened HR while playing, reaching 72% mean and 85% maximum %MTHR.
- Cardiac demand was significantly higher during concerts compared to rehearsals for the same musical piece.
- Consistent HR patterns were observed for musicians performing the same program in repeated concerts.
Conclusions:
- The cardiac demand for professional musicians is substantially higher than previously reported.
- Playing a musical instrument professionally involves significant physical exertion, contrary to assumptions of a sedentary activity.
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