Perceived Musculoskeletal Discomfort Among Elementary, Middle, and High School String Players

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to identify the body regions where young string players report experiencing musculoskeletal discomfort and explore factors that may impact their perceived discomfort. A purposive yet nonprobability sample of elementary ( n = 101), middle school ( n = 97), and high school ( n = 159) students participated in the study by completing a questionnaire developed from previous research. Participants responded to items designed to collect data regarding the extent and location of discomfort, warm-up activities, physical activities, and psychological issues thought to impact perceived discomfort. Participants reported experiencing little musculoskeletal discomfort, and no relationship was found between discomfort and warm-up or physical activities. Participants’ school level, instrument, and gender were not related to musculoskeletal discomfort. On the basis of participants’ responses, we were able to identify five regions of the body where young string players experience varying levels of discomfort. We found significant relationships between string class frequency, stress about playing the instrument, and enjoyment of the instrument and reported musculoskeletal discomfort.