UWindsor professor uses science to keep drummers free of injury

Nadia Azar sets up a monitor on professional drummer Jeff Burrows to measure heart rate and energy expenditure. (Dave Gauthier/University of Windsor)

A University of Windsor professor is conducting research, using percussion science to keep drummers free from injuries.

Dr. Nadia Azar’s work is looking how to alleviate the stress a drummer’s body goes through while performing.

“Professional athletes don’t just go out in the field or onto the ice and play their game,” said the kinesiology professor.

“There’s a lot of preparation that comes before that, such as getting in the gym and working on strength and conditioning. For percussionists, their body is their instrument, and I’m trying to leverage knowledge of injury prevention and physical conditioning to help them be successful in their careers.”

Azar monitors the heart rates of drummers, as well as energy expenditures on stage, using the information to look at their overall exertion.

According to the University of Windsor, Azar is one of Canada’s only researchers on the topic. She is able to help drummers stay healthy through the Canadian Percussion Network.

“The network connects percussionists from across Canada who are interested in bridging the gap between performance and research,” she said.

“I’m the lead for the health and well-being research axis – I’m trying to bring in health and wellness information for percussionists. We are interested in a series of questions, like ‘why would it be important for percussionists to know about injury prevention? What’s that going to do for you as a performer?”

More information on Azar’s research is available here.