Medical problems of performing artists
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Med Probl Perform Art · Dec 2020
Self-Reported Wellness in Training and Performance: A Comparison of Professional Ballet Dancers and Professional Athletes.
In high-performance sport, the use of self-report measures is expanding. The exploration of wellness states in response to training and performance requires further investigation for professional ballet dancers and athletes. This study therefore aimed to: compare wellness scores between professional ballet dancers and athletes in training and performance; report frequency of self-reported modified participation during training and performance; and report frequency of self-reported inability to participate due to pain and illness in dancers and athletes. ⋯ Self-reported wellness scores appear sensitive to activity type and can provide valuable information to guide intervention and recovery strategies. Further research on the impact of poor wellness on performance, illness, and injury in professional ballet is warranted.
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Med Probl Perform Art · Dec 2020
Upper-Body Posture in Adolescent Pianists: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Although the significance of upper-body posture in relation to piano performance has often been highlighted, the role of experience remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine selected upper body posture parameters in adolescent piano students of different performance level (beginners vs advanced). ⋯ Less-experienced piano players are characterized by more movement in their trunk posture and more upper limb activity than their more advanced colleagues. Future research should examine whether interventional programs designed to alter upper-body posture would have beneficial effects in piano performance.
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Med Probl Perform Art · Dec 2020
Musicians' Earplugs: Do They Affect Performance or Listeners' Perceptions?
Does wearing musicians' earplugs while performing affect the quality of the performance? Can listeners perceive a difference in sound when musicians are performing with or without earplugs? The risk of hearing loss is a concern for musicians, but some are reluctant to wear hearing protection due to factors such as an inability to hear their own instrument properly and the possibility of decreased sound quality for listeners. ⋯ These findings suggest that musicians should feel confident that wearing musicians' earplugs while performing does not adversely affect pitch accuracy or listeners' perceptions of their timbre and dynamic control.
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Med Probl Perform Art · Dec 2020
Self-Report Fatigue Management for Instrumental Musicians: A Delphi Survey.
Mismanagement of fatigue and playing load have been consistently identified as risk factors for playing-related pain and injuries. Studies in sport demonstrate that fatigue management strategies can predict and prevent overuse syndromes and related injuries through consistent assessment of playing load and physical/psychological stress. Self-report strategies show particular responsiveness to both the short and long-term impacts of training. No equivalent fatigue management strategies exist for musicians. Establish key items and feasibility parameters to inform the development of a self-report fatigue management tool for musicians. ⋯ Key questionnaire items and feasibility parameters for a novel fatigue management tool for musicians are established. Future research in musicians is needed to validate study results and this novel fatigue management tool.