Marching band (MB) artists frequently spend many hours engaged in outdoor physical activity. Anecdotal evidence and small studies have indicated that MB artists do experience heat-related health problems. Yet, unlike athletes, military personnel, or workers, there is very little research on heat-related hazards among this unique population. Here, we seek to understand the incidence and circumstances under which exertional heat illnesses (EHIs) occur among MB artists over a 31-year period (1990–2020) across the USA. Using an on-line news dataset, we identified 34 separate events and at least 393 total EHIs. Heat syncope (~ 55%) and heat exhaustion (~ 44%) comprised the majority of EHIs, although a small number of exertional heat stroke cases were also reported. EHIs were reported in all types of MB activities with ~ 32% during rehearsal, ~ 29% during parades, ~ 21% during competition, and ~ 15% during a performance. Also, the vast majority of events occurred with high school (~ 88%) marching bands. Finally, EHIs overwhelmingly occurred when the weather was unusually hot by local conditions. In light of these findings, we emphasize the need for MB specific heat polices that incorporate weather-based activity modification, acclimatization, education about EHIs, and access to on-site medical professionals.

行进乐队 (MB) 艺术家经常花费大量时间从事户外体育活动。轶事证据和小型研究表明，MB 艺术家确实会遇到与热相关的健康问题。然而，与运动员、军人或工人不同，很少有关于这一独特人群中与高温相关的危害的研究。在这里，我们试图了解美国 31 年（1990-2020 年）期间 MB 艺术家发生劳力性热病 (EHI) 的发生率和情况。使用在线新闻数据集，我们确定了 34 个单独的事件和至少 393 个 EHI。热晕厥 (~ 55%) 和热衰竭 (~ 44%) 占 EHI 的大部分，尽管也报告了少量劳力性中暑病例。在排练期间，所有类型的 MB 活动都报告了 EHI，约 32%，~ 29% 游行期间，~ 21% 比赛期间，~ 15% 表演期间。此外，绝大多数事件发生在高中 (~ 88%) 游行乐队中。最后，当天气因当地条件而异常炎热时，绝大多数情况下都会发生 EHI。根据这些发现，我们强调需要将基于天气的活动调整、适应环境、EHI 教育以及与现场医疗专业人员联系在一起的 MB 特定热量政策。