Physical Characteristics and Pain Patterns of Skilled Violinists

Abstract

This study evaluated the association between upper body physical measurements of skilled violin players and the presence and location of pain related to playing their instruments. To cover a range of playing styles and teaching backgrounds, volunteers were recruited from universities and orchestras. A group of 32 instrumentalists participated in this study and had their upper limb lengths and ranges of motion measured by a physiotherapist. Between-limb range comparisons revealed some significantly greater range measurements of the left hand compared with the right, which are hypothesized to represent an adaptation to years of instrument playing. Participants also completed questionnaires detailing the location and duration of any performance-related pains. Regression results identified physical attributes that may be risk factors in the development of pain problems in violin players with shorter arms. An implication of these findings is that players with right arms shorter than those of their peers may need to pay attention to the positioning of their head on the instrument and to overall instrument placement.