Effects of being a drum major

[imlovinit]

Can spinning and conducting and beating time hurt the shoulders and wrists ( like ligament damage ) since the movements are mainly in the shoulders and wrists?

[Mark Stone]

I have never had a drum major suffer from permanent injury to my knowledge but we only do field. I would suggest ensuring proper technique.

[dmcoach]

I've been active in the community for 20 years, and so far I don't see any medical issues.

Proper stretching before and after any physical activity, as well as maintaining good techniques, like Mr. Stone mentioned, will help.

[razoreyes45k]

Nearly thirty years after I marched DM, I still find myself counting 6 paces before and after a designated line when I walk along a sidewalk.

[Ryan H. Turner]

I have not been up here in awhile so whoever asked this question may have stopped "listening". That being said I do believe to some extent that I did suffer some damage to my shoulders due to my crazy conducting back in the 80's with the Velvet Knights. But I probably could have prevented the wear and tear by warming up properly and being more judicious with my enthusiasm.

I suffered minor pulls and strains from mace spinning, specifically in my forearms from doing rifle tosses or hand rolls. I didn't understand back then the power of WARMING UP.....go figure.

[JCabralBCHS]

I have heard stories where someone has cut their neck from parallel tossing because of the eagle crown was sharp. I have once gotten spasms in my thumb and soreness after spinning thumb rolls at a really fast speed and In middle school when I tried to be stiff while spinning I would like tighten my whole body and got really hurt because of it