Injury Prevention in Marching Band and Color Guard Athletes
Marching band and color guard are fun and active ways to help kids learn and grow. These activities help students build teamwork, express their creativity and stay physically active.
Although marching band and color guard are not typically considered a sport, they require a lot of practice, energy and focus. The time kids spend preparing for the season is just as important as how they take care of themselves and recover during the traditional season.
Below are tips on how to prepare for the upcoming season, as well as tips on injury prevention and what to do if you are injured.
Prevention and Preparation
- Maintain Good Conditioning: Marching requires lots of endurance and can be physically demanding. Preparing for these demands ahead of time not only decreases your risk of injury, but it also helps you perform at your very best each day. Find something you enjoy (strength workouts, running, yoga, recreational sports, etc.) and use that to help increase your fitness! Make sure you are gradually increasing your activity, so you do not do too much or increase your activity too fast.
- Footwear: You will be on your feet for long periods of time, and the right footwear helps support your feet, knees, hips, and back. Wear proper footwear with good arch support. Consider visiting a running store to have a specialist help you pick shoes that are the right fit for you.
- Nutrition and Hydration: It’s very important that you focus on fueling your body. Ensure you are eating three meals a day with snacks as well as drinking plenty of water. Check out more information on proper fueling and proper hydration.
- Manage Volume: You may be participating in an additional sport or activity while you are marching. Overexerting yourself can lead to an increased risk of injury and decreased performance. Make sure you are not overworking your body. Give yourself at least one rest day per week.
What Should I Do if I’m Injured?
- Communicate with your parent/guardian, band director, and physician if you are injured or have pain. The sooner you can address the injury, the sooner you can return to the field!
- See the Resources or FAQ sections on our website for more detailed information regarding these tips.
Consult your primary care physician for more serious injuries that do not respond to basic first aid. As an added resource, the staff at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine is available to diagnose and treat sports-related injuries for youth or adolescent athletes. Services are available in multiple locations. To make an appointment, call (614) 355-6000 or schedule an appointment online.
