Core Body Temperatures in Collegiate Marching Band Artists During Rehearsals and Performances.

HYDRATION; STATISTICAL significance; BODY temperature; PHYSIOLOGICAL effects of heat; RESEARCH methodology; CROSS-sectional method; ANTHROPOMETRY; TIME; ONE-way analysis of variance; HEALTH outcome assessment; PHYSICAL activity; PRE-tests & post-tests; MATHEMATICAL variables; T-test (Statistics); QUESTIONNAIRES; CHI-squared test; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; ATHLETIC ability; MUSIC; BODY temperature regulation; DATA analysis software; STATISTICAL correlation; EPIDEMIOLOGICAL research; PERFORMING arts

To our knowledge, no researchers have investigated thermoregulatory responses and exertional heat illness (EHI) risk factors in marching band (MB) artists performing physical activity in high environmental temperatures. To examine core temperature (Tc) and EHI risk factors in MB artists. Descriptive epidemiology study. Three rehearsals and 2 football games for 2 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I institution's MBs. Nineteen volunteers (females = 13, males = 6; age = 20.5 ± 0.9 years, height = 165.1 ± 7.1 cm, mass = 75.0 ± 19.1 kg) completed the study. We measured Tc, wet bulb globe temperature, and relative humidity preactivity, during activity, and postactivity. Other variables were activity time and intensity, body surface area, hydration characteristics (fluid volume, sweat rate, urine specific gravity, percentage of body mass loss), and medical history (eg, previous EHI, medications). The statistical analysis consisted of descriptive information (mean ± standard deviation), comparative analyses that determined differences within days, and correlations that identified variables significantly associated with Tc. The mean time for rehearsals was 102.8 ± 19.8 minutes and for games was 260.5 ± 47.7 minutes. Mean maximum Tc was 39.1 ± 1.1°C for games and 38.4 ± 0.7°C for rehearsals; the highest Tc (41.2°C) occurred during a game. Fluid consumption did not match sweat rates (P <.001). Participants reported to games in a hypohydrated state 63.6% of the time. The maximum Tc correlated with the maximum wet bulb globe temperature (r = 0.618, P <.001) and was higher in individuals using mental health medications (rpb = −0.254, P =.022) and females (rpb = 0.330, P =.002). Body surface area (r = −0.449, P <.001) and instrument mass (r = −0.479, P <.001) were negatively correlated with Tc. Marching band artists experienced high Tc during activity and should have access to athletic trainers who can implement EHI-prevention and -management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Athletic Training (Allen Press) is the property of KnowledgeWorks Global, Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)