Drummers may be the corner stone of a rock band but they

usually don't get much attention sitting at the back of the

stage.

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But new research from scientists in Gloucestershire has

found that the physical effort of a drummer during a rock

concert is as gruelling as what a Premiership footballer

endures during a match.

Legendary Blondie drummer Clem Burke has been working with

researchers at the University of Gloucestershire for the past

eight years to reveal that at 53 years old his heart rate

during a gig matches that of players 30 years his junior like

Wayne Rooney.

Burke has been hooked up to sophisticated technology which

has monitored his heart rate, oxygen intake and blood lactate

during tests and live stage performances.

Burke's heart rate averaged between 140/150 beats per

minute, rising to as much as 190, while he burns between 400

and 600 calories per hour and takes in more than two litres of

oxygen per minute.

A drumming laboratory has been built at Gloucestershire

University's Oxstalls campus in Longlevens, Gloucester, to

continue to study the physiological demands.

Researchers from the university's sport and exercise faculty

have worked with the University of Chichester on the project

since 1998.

They want other professional drummers to take part in

physiological profiling and will also take the technology to

community youth groups targeting overweight and troubled

teens.

Burke yesterday gave an exclusive and energetic performance

to demonstrate the technology at the Oxstalls campus.

He wears a face mask to measure his breathing, a heart rate

monitor and earphones which play a clicking system of beats

which he has to keep up with.

“Working with everyone here has opened me up to how my heart

is working and my cardiovascular potential,” he said.

“I work at being up for the job so I feel it's easier now

than it was in my 20s and technology has progressed where I am

still able to do this.

“It's more intensive in a clinical situation like this. It's

not the same as performing in front of 20,000 people – this is

more labour intensive because it is concentrated effort.

“The scientific aspect of it and having the technology that

these guys have has enlightened me about the heart rate and the

oxygen intake and it was good to know that I'm not going to

keel over tomorrow.

“I think we have tried to dispel some of the stereotypes of

drummers too in that their lifestyles are such that they

self-destruct at a young age.

“I came from Madrid and I've actually had two or three hours

sleep but before a concert I like to get 17 hours rest and a

workout.

“This has been a sideline for me but everyone in Blondie is

really proud of what we have accomplished.”

Dr Marcus Smith, from the University of Chichester, is a big

Blondie fan and got Burke involved with the project by writing

to him in 1998.

He said footballers usually play 40 to 50 games a year and

in one year Burke played 90-minute sets at 100 gigs.

“If you look at the data from Clem on a typical gig parallel

to that of a Premiership football player you could not tell the

difference between the two,” he said.

“We're not saying that Manchester United should sign Clem up

and in the same way Blondie would not be chasing Wayne Rooney

to play at their next gig.

“But the physiology is crucial because without that engine

inside Clem he would not be able to play and that is the same

as any sportsman.

“We would like to open it up to drummers from a variety of

styles and look at disengaged youth as we think drumming has a

positive role to play in groups not switched on by traditional

sports as well as tackling childhood obesity.

Blondie are currently touring across the UK to celebrate the

30th anniversary of the release of Parallel Lines.