Video games and drumming … all in the name of science? That’s the word coming out of the UK this morning. The Clem Burke Drumming Project, a unique scientific research collaboration between Blondie drummer Clem Burke, Dr. Marcus Smith from the University of Chichester, and Dr. Steve Draper from the University of Gloucestershire, has today announced a year-long collaborative research project which will examine the potential benefits of using the drum kit from Activision’s Guitar Hero World Tour .
The Clem Burke Drumming Project was first created with the purpose of using science to research the possible health and psychological benefits of people involved in drumming. For example, the project’s recently released first wave of findings found 
that professional drummers had a heart rate profile similar to professional football players and expended a significant amount of energy. Physiological tests included the measurement of heart rate, oxygen uptake and blood lactate in rehearsal tests and monitoring heart rate and blood lactate during live stage performances.
With its two raised pads representing the hi-hat and either the crash or ride cymbals, the three pads corresponding to the snare and two toms, and a bass-drum kick pedal, the project believe that the Guitar Hero World Tour drum controller accurately simulates an authentic drum kit. When playing on the drum kit controller in the game on higher difficultly levels, researchers believe the game will provide an opportunity to acquire the specific motor skills needed for drumming. The Clem Burke Drumming Project will investigate the transfer of skills and the physiological demands of game play compared to live drumming.
“We’ve been extremely impressed by the Guitar Hero World Tour drum controller,” says Dr. Marcus Smith, Principal Lecturer in Exercise Physiology, University of Chichester. “The Clem Burke Drumming Project is all about promoting the benefits of drumming, and we’re convinced those that learn the basics of the instrument with Guitar Hero World Tour can use those skills when progressing to an actual full drum kit. No other gaming controller comes close to simulating the experience of drumming, and we’re confident the game will breed a new generation of real-life drummers. Anecdotally, we believe Guitar Hero World Tour is a perfect introduction to the instrument – and we can’t wait to examine this scientifically and unveil our findings throughout 2009.”
One area of research will be to examine the neurological changes in Guitar Hero World Tour drummers, researching participants’ grey and white brain matter to see just how their brains evolve when playing. The project will also investigate the health benefits of playing Guitar Hero World Tour, including how using drums and the drum controller may help individuals with existing medical conditions, such as stroke patients.
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