Within the framework of this research project, key parameters in arms and hands of percussionists are investigated. The goal of this project is to create an instrument-specific comparison group for percussionists, in analogy with comparison groups for piano, violin and cello built up over 50 years of work by Ch. Wagner. The comparison groups permit to anonymously compare hand characteristics of an individual player with those of other professional musicians. By doing so, useful insight is gained into the individual optimisation of posture, practicing techniques, therapy options, etc.
Introduction
The study’s aim was to gather data on inter-individual differences between mobility parameters of the lower arm and wrist most relevant for playing percussion instruments.
Methods
By means of the laboratory-based Biomechanical Hand Measurement according to Wagner (BHM 2005), forearms and wrists of 31 professional percussionists (m=30, f=1) were measured to gather data for active range of movement (maximal force) and passive mobility (by applying finely gradated external torques).
Results
Within the same hand characteristic, data show great differences between minimum and maximum values (e.g. right hand passive pronation 110°) and a high dispersion within this range (e.g. coefficient of variance 172% for right hand passive wrist extension). The largest differences were observed in passive mobility, the smallest in active mobility.
Discussion
Passive mobility as a measure for the ease of movements mostly remains unobserved in standardised medical examinations. Nevertheless, percussionists perceive how resistance needs to be overcome and when compensation movements become necessary for a playing movement. For percussion pedagogy, simple tests for passive mobility are recommended as well as individually adapted playing movements, including an adaptation of the way sticks are held based on test results. Furthermore, in order to prevent overuse syndromes in the case of reduced passive mobility, it is recommended to make use of movements involving several joints, thus leading to a mixture of movement components rather than isolated, repetitive movements involving only one joint. In the case of high passive mobility, isometric strengthening exercises are recommended.
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