Kenny Dianna T, Driscoll Tim, Ackermann Bronwen J
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Merewether H04, Rm 468, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. Tel 612 9114 0711, fax 612 9351 3838.
Med Probl Perform Art. 2018 Mar;33(1):39-46. doi: 10.21091/mppa.2018.1007.
The physical and psychological demands of playing a musical instrument are likely to be affected by age-related decline in function, including physical, cognitive, psychological, and organ-related changes. However, the complex neurophysiological demands of playing a musical instrument may delay many normal aging-related changes.
This study compared professional classical musicians of different ages, using a range of physical and psychological measures, to discover how increasing age might affect work performance and to identify possible risk and protective factors for physical and psychological health as the musicians age.
377 professional orchestral musicians from eight Australian orchestras (70% response rate), ages 18 to 68 yrs (mean 42.1). Multiple standardized physical and psychological tools were used to evaluate the impact of age on a range of physical and mental health variables.
Age was not statistically associated with frequency or severity of performance-related musculoskeletal disorders, ratings of perceived exertion, QuickDASH scores, use of beta-blockers, workplace satisfaction, and most psychological tests. Differences were observed on SPIN (social anxiety) scores, with lowest scores in the oldest age group (10.66 in 55+ yrs vs 17.83 in 18-30 yrs, p=0.016). Older musicians had higher BMIs and fewer practice sessions per day than younger musicians and also were more likely to consume alcohol on 5+ days/wk (44% vs 9%, p=0.003).
Advancing age does not appear to exert undue negative impacts on physical and psychological health or performance capacity of professional orchestral musicians. However, dwindling numbers in the older age groups may suggest a "survivor" effect, whereby those who develop significant age-related decrements may cease professional performance at earlier ages. Longitudinal studies on the professional trajectories of professional orchestral musicians are needed to explore this question further.
演奏乐器对身体和心理的要求可能会受到与年龄相关的功能衰退的影响，包括身体、认知、心理和器官相关的变化。然而，演奏乐器复杂的神经生理需求可能会延缓许多与正常衰老相关的变化。
本研究使用一系列身体和心理测量方法，对不同年龄段的专业古典音乐家进行比较，以发现年龄增长如何影响工作表现，并确定随着音乐家年龄增长，对其身心健康可能存在的风险因素和保护因素。
来自澳大利亚八个管弦乐团的377名专业管弦乐音乐家（回复率70%），年龄在18至68岁之间（平均42.1岁）。使用多种标准化的身体和心理工具来评估年龄对一系列身心健康变量的影响。
年龄与与演奏相关的肌肉骨骼疾病的频率或严重程度、主观用力程度评分、QuickDASH评分、β受体阻滞剂的使用、工作场所满意度以及大多数心理测试在统计学上无关联。在社交焦虑量表（SPIN）评分上观察到差异，年龄最大的组得分最低（55岁及以上组为10.66，18 - 30岁组为17.83，p = 0.016）。年长的音乐家比年轻的音乐家体重指数（BMI）更高，每天的练习次数更少，而且每周饮酒5天及以上的可能性也更大（44%对9%，p = 0.003）。
年龄增长似乎并未对专业管弦乐音乐家的身心健康或演奏能力产生过度负面影响。然而，老年组人数的减少可能表明存在一种“幸存者”效应，即那些出现与年龄相关的显著衰退的人可能会在更早的年龄停止专业演奏。需要对专业管弦乐音乐家的职业轨迹进行纵向研究，以进一步探讨这个问题。
