A new study conducted by the researchers of the University of Sheffield, UK, has found that people who play in a brass band could have a wide range of mental as well as physical benefits.
Several studies have shown that music helps in improving a person’s physical and mental health, and it could be one of the best stress-busters.
The study, published in Frontiers in Psychology: Performance Science, was conducted on more than 340 adults who played in brass bands. They were asked a few questions about their physical and mental health, along with their emotional, spiritual, and social well-being.
The researchers found that more than 200 participates noticed positive changes in their respiratory health because they had improved breathing control, with expanded lung capacity. They also found that some participants, who had respiratory troubles, experienced improved breathing.
For example, one respondent with asthma, who had been playing in a brass band for over 20 years, said it helped him better manage his condition. He said, “I’m asthmatic, and it has helped me gain a great deal of control over my breathing.”
The study also found that many people involved in playing in a brass band had an overall positive impact on their physical health and fitness.
One participant said, “Exercise is not limited to breathing and playing music […] Arranging chairs, shifting instruments into venues, etc. also contribute to keeping me fit and active.”
In addition, many participants said they experienced a lot of psychological benefits by playing in a brass band. They also reported having lower stress levels, with increased resilience to stressful events. One respondent said, “I find playing music, having to concentrate, and follow a conductor, a wonderfully cleansing psychological experience. Focusing 100% of your concentration on one thing can be like a meditation at times and feels very healthy and beneficial.”
