Metabolic Response During Simulated Marching Band

Pediatric and adolescent obesity is a rapidly expanding phenomenon in the United States leading to an array of diseases including Type 2 Diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension and metabolic syndrome. Increasing daily energy expenditure and physical activity to accumulate 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity as prescribed by the American College of Sports Medicine, may curb the negative consequences of obesity. The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of simulated marching band on energy expenditure by determining changes in metabolic rate and heart rate. A secondary purpose was to generate more data on the effects of marching band to determine whether it may serve as an alternative form of physical activity. Eleven college pep-band members, aged 19-24 years, were studied during two different sessions in which they marched with or without their instrument. Anthropometric measurements were recorded, and oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate and step counts were obtained during the four phases of activity – seated at rest, standing, and marching on the treadmill at two speeds. VO2 and metabolic equivalents (METs) were progressively higher as the marching speed increased, and significantly different when marching with an instrument versus without an instrument. In contrast, although heart rate was significantly different between phases, it was not significantly different between each session. These findings suggest marching band elicits work of a moderate to vigorous intensity level, as prescribed by the American College of Sports Medicine.