Effect of marching band performance on the lumbo-pelvic kinematics: A cross-sectional study

The risk of spondylolysis increases in children and adolescents involved in sports that involve trunk extension, such as marching bands. Prolonged posture while playing musical instruments may lead to musculoskeletal disorders. Although many scholars have studied the effects of playing posture on lumbar-pelvic kinematics, few have focused on marching band performance.

This study assessed the influence of basic posture during marching band performance on lumbar-pelvic kinematics.

The participants were healthy young adults without musculoskeletal injuries. Gait was measured under three conditions using a three-dimensional movement analysis system: normal gait, gait with a 1.15 kg trumpet, and marching band performance. An analysis of a single right gait cycle was used in this study to compare the spatiotemporal parameters and joint angles between conditions.

The mean values of the thoracic posterior tilt angle, thoracolumbar transition, lumbar extension angle, and anterior pelvic tilt angle in forward marching were significantly higher than those in free walking and instrument-grasping gait (p < .05). The change in the thoracic and lumbar rotation angles in forward marching was significantly lower than those in free walking (p < .05).

Forward marching may increase lumbar extension, heighten shear forces, and activate the erector spinae muscles. Restricted upper limb swing may hinder the coordination of the erector spinae muscles and impair trunk stability.

Increased trunk/pelvic extension and decreased trunk rotation during forward marching may lead to overloading of the erector spinae muscle. Attention to posture during marching may help prevent low back pain.