University woodwind students’ playing-related injuries - a pilot study investigating beliefs, attitudes and prevention strategies

Oct 15, 2026

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University woodwind students frequently experience playing-related injuries, yet limited evidence clarifies their beliefs, attitudes, and prevention practices. A pilot online survey of university woodwind students assessed perceived risk, recognition of contributing playing factors, and commonly used prevention strategies. Findings show strong interest in learning practical prevention approaches, with warming up and practice breaks widely used, while injury impact may be underestimated.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

Health Belief Model (HBM) framework

Rationale for the pilot study

University woodwind students’playing-related injuries: a pilot study investigating beliefs, attitudes and prevention strategies Jessica Stanhope School of Health Sciences, The University of South Australia a u s t r a l i a n a s o c i e t y s f o r m u s i c m e d u c a t i o n e i n c o r p o r a t e d Abstract Background: University woodwind students commonly experience playing-related injuries, however little is known about musicians’ beliefs and attitudes regarding playing-related injuries. Objective: To investigate the beliefs and attitudes of university woodwind students regarding playing-related injuries, and the prevention strategies they use. Methods: An online survey was sent to the woodwind students at a university. Descriptive statistics were used to report the data. Results: All participants wanted to learn more about injury prevention, with practical teaching formats preferred. Participants most frequently recognised playing-related factors, such as having poor posture/ hand position, or playing with discomfort, as risk factors for playing-related injuries, with playing-related prevention strategies, such as warming up and having regular practice breaks, being most commonly utilised. Students generally recognised their susceptibility to playing-related injuries; however the potential impact of these was under-recognised. Many agreed with the proposed benefits of changing practice structure and posture/ hand position, as well as exercises, with some barriers identified. Conclusion: This pilot study revealed that these students are likely to respond favourably to an injury prevention program which incorporates exercises, advice regarding posture/ hand position and practice structure, particularly if presented in practical formats. Key words: musician, musculoskeletal, pain, attitudes, beliefs, prevention Introduction The second most common cause of years lived with disability globally are musculoskeletal disorders (Vos et al., 2016), making them an important public health issue. The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in musicians is reportedly high (Bragge, Bialocerkowski, & McMeeken, 2006; Kok, Huisstede, Voorn, Schoones,& Nelissen, 2016; Silva, Lã, & Afreixo, 2015; Stanhope & Milanese, 2016), including amongst university woodwind students (Ackermann, Kenny,& Fortune, 2011; Branfonbrener, 2009; Cayea & Manchester, 1998; Kreutz, Ginsborg, & Williamon, 2008). While there is little specific research regarding the risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms in this sub-population of musicians, it has been suggested that symptoms among musicians may be associated with poor posture (Ackermann et al., 2011; Blanco-Piñeiro, DíazPereira, & Martínez, 2017; Hartsell & Tata, 1991), poor playing structure/ duration (Ackermann et al., 2011; Hartsell & Tata, 1991; Manchester & Park, 1996; Zaza, 1992; Zaza & Farewell, 1997; Zetterberg, Backlund, Karlsson, Werner, & Olsson, 1998), and/ora lack of physical exercise (Ackermann et al., 2011; Roach, Martinez, & Anderson, 1994). Addressing these factors should be considered as part of a program to reduce playing-related injuries (PRIs) in university woodwind students. University education may provide an ideal opportunity for musicians to learn skills regarding PRIs. This is a time when they have committed to a career as a musician, and when they are more likely to be interested in learning how to prolong and advance their careers, than school students. Practice time and playing intensity is likely to increase for students commencing their university studies; hence their interest in preventing musculoskeletal symptoms may develop. PRI prevention education would occur at a time when students are more likely to have the flexibility in their schedules and the time to make changes to their playing and lifestyles to reduce their PRI risk prior to being exposed to the high demands of being professional musicians. Recent studies investigating th

FAQs

What was the purpose of the pilot study?

To investigate university woodwind students’ beliefs and attitudes regarding playing-related injuries and the prevention strategies they use.

How was data collected and analyzed?

An online survey was sent to woodwind students at a university, and descriptive statistics were used to report the data.

Which injury risk factors and prevention strategies were most commonly recognized?

Students most frequently recognized playing-related factors such as poor posture/hand position or playing with discomfort as risk factors, and commonly used strategies such as warming up and taking regular practice breaks.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by Franzy