Influence of Motor Stereotypes on the Quality of Musical Performance and Musculoskeletal Disorders in Keyboard Players

Music has long been associated with human society. The positive benefits of performing music on human beings have long been known. Increased attention has been paid to its risks recently. The negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle on the human locomotor system are discussed a lot. Nevertheless, most musicians play sitting while they can stand. The aim of this bachelor thesis was to describe the influence of motor stereotypes on the quality of music performance and development of musculoskeletal pain, and to compare the motor stereotypes of keyboard players during standing and sitting. In the theoretical part the basic knowledge about this topic is summarized. Functional description of the human locomotor system and the influence of music is provided. Both motor stereotypes that can lead to playing-related musculoskeletal disorders and physiological motor patterns are described. Music physiology and musician's medicine are also presented. The practical part of the bachelor's thesis consists of combined research consisting mainly of recording the electromyographic activity of selected muscles during performance in standing and sitting positions. The activity of the following muscles was measured bilaterally: extensor carpi radialis, trapezius descendens, pars lumbalis erectoris spinae and obliquus abdominis externus. The performance quality was evaluated both subjectively and the software analysis of audio recordings was performed. Furthermore, kinesiological examinations were performed on the probands. In addition, an online questionnaire survey was included. Mainly the results of electromyographic measurements favorize slightly the standing position for playing instruments. This work can be used in the clinical practice of physiotherapists and in the musician's medicine. It can also serve music educators and musicians themselves