Marching band injuries strike a wrong note in emergency departments

Marching band is a bodily demanding job and efficiency artwork that may result in damage much like organized athletic actions. New analysis reveals that 70% of marching band-related accidents reported to emergency departments over a 9-year interval occurred in excessive school-age females, with most accidents to the ankles and knees.

The summary, “Marching Band Accidents In Kids Presenting to Emergency Departments in the US, 2012-2021: A Trebling Story,” will likely be introduced throughout the 2023 AAP National Conference & Exhibition on the Walter E. Washington Conference Middle.

“Like their devices, band members have to be in tune with their our bodies,” stated Capt. Jacob R. Coene, MD, MC, USAF, researcher. “Coaches and oldsters needs to be educated on the chance of soppy tissue injury and mild traumatic brain injury to assist hold their band members marching to the beat of the drum.”

Researchers reviewed an estimated 20,335 marching band accidents reported to emergency departments between 2012-2021, in accordance with knowledge offered by the Nationwide Digital Damage Surveillance System. Eighty-five p.c of marching band accidents occurred in these 14-18 years of age, and delicate traumatic mind damage comprised 6% of all encounters. Half of the accidents occurred within the decrease physique, with ankles and knees most frequently in danger.

Recognizing the dangers, the Nationwide Athletic Coach Affiliation issued suggestions to maintain marching band members protected in 2017, in accordance with researchers. States together with Texas and Oklahoma have begun to require pre-participation physicals for marching band members. Not like different organized athletics, akin to American soccer, soccer and cheerleading, there’s a lack of proof describing damage tendencies in marching band, in accordance with the summary authors.

Of all marching band accidents, 98% have been handled and launched from the emergency department.