Physical Activity Differences Among Collegiate Marching Band Members: Game Day Vs. Practice Days Vs. Off Days

Marching bands play a cherished role on many university campuses. Marching band activities require both musical skill and physical stamina. PURPOSE: This pilot study considers the levels and intensity of physical activity (PA) of marching band participants on game day, practice days, and off days. METHODS: Participants were members of a marching band (n = 22, 14 females) at a large university in the Southeast. Anthropometry (height, weight, waist circumference (WC)) was assessed. Body composition was determined via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Physical activity was assessed using accelerometers (Actigraph GTX3+) worn on the right hip. Days were considered valid and included in the present analysis if monitors were worn for at least 9 hours. Descriptive statistics were calculated and MANCOVA was used to determine the PA differences amongst weekdays, game day (Saturday), and off day (Sunday). Game days were assessed at football home games, and off day was the Sunday following the home game. PA levels and intensity was determined via Freedson VM3 (2013). RESULTS: Mean BMI, WC, and % body fat was 28.3 ± 5.7 and 27.9 ± 4.8 kg/m2, 91.8 ± 14.3 and 81.6 ± 9.6 cm, and 34.7 ± 7.3 and 40.7 ± 7.5% for men and women, respectively. Moderate PA (MPA; 97.3 vs. 55.4 p < 0.001), vigorous PA (VPA; 4.0 vs. 1.9 p = 0.013), counts per minute (CPM; 727.2 vs. 439.8 p < 0.001), total steps (19,168.4 vs. 9,992.7 p < 0.001), and steps per minute (p < 0.001) were significantly higher on game day than off day. Very vigorous PA (VVPA; 0.51 vs 0.23 p = 0.027) and steps per minute (20.0 vs. 15.9 p = 0.006) were significantly higher on game day than weekdays. MPA (p < 0.001), VPA (p = 0.041), CPM (616.0 vs. 439.8 p = 0.002), total steps (16,459.6 vs. 9,992.7 p < 0.001), and steps per minute (p < 0.001) were significantly higher on weekdays than off days. No difference was observed for light PA and total wear times. No sex difference was observed in any PA variables across all conditions. CONCLUSION: PA level, intensity, and steps are greatest on game day, followed by weekdays, and off days in collegiate marching band members. There may be a compensation effect towards PA level on off day following the game day. However, PA levels are high regardless of day. Hourly analysis on weekdays should be examined to determine the contribution of practice to overall physical activity levels.