Swier and Meyer, both exercise science majors, collaborated with Wooldridge to write “Injury Prevention in Percussion Performance: Holistic Practice Principles.” The paper resulted from a Junior Scholar research project among the three, and was inspired by Wooldridge’s struggle with radial tunnel syndrome (pain in the wrist and forearm) caused by percussion playing.

“I have really appreciated working with Dan and Tyann,” says Wooldridge. “Their expertise in kinesiology played a key role in developing the holistic practice system we will be presenting.”

Swier and Meyer surveyed about 220 percussionists throughout the U.S. Fifty-eight percent of those who responded said they had experienced some form of injury related to percussion performance. The students say they hope other percussionists will benefit from this research by applying the principles of kinesiology in preventing and overcoming percussion injuries.

The student researchers recommend that percussionists do aerobic warm-ups for five to 10 minutes before practicing and start with practice techniques that are less difficult before gradually progressing to more difficult techniques. Swier and Meyer also suggest that rehearsals be concluded with a cool-down process that ends with less difficult techniques. They have also developed strengthening exercises for some parts of the body that are used a lot in percussion.

 “I am excited to be able to present our study to other individuals and to receive feedback and suggestions about further studies that could be done to benefit musicians who suffer from performance injuries,” says Meyer.

“This is a chance to do something meaningful with the knowledge I have acquired over the last four years,” says Swier.

Upon graduation Meyer will be pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, and Swier who also has a minor in health, will be pursuing a master’s degree in exercise physiology.

Wooldridge, director of Northwestern’s Percussion Ensemble, serves as percussionist and assistant principal timpanist with the Sioux City Symphony and gives 15 to 20 performances a year as a solo recitalist or guest soloist with a symphonic band. He holds three graduate degrees from the University of Buffalo: a Ph.D. in music theory, a Master of Fine Arts degree in percussion performance and a Master of Arts in music theory.