Soldiers undergo regular physical testing to assess their functional capacity. However, current physical tests, such as push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups, do not necessarily assess job-specific physical capability. This article assesses the utility of generic predictive tests and a task-related predictive test in predicting performance against four job-critical military manual handling tasks. The box lift and place test was found to be the superior predictor in performance of four job tasks; a pack lift and place (R(2) = 0.76), artillery gunner loading simulation (R(2) = 0.36), bombing up an M1 tank simulation, (R(2) = 0.47) and a bridge building simulation (R(2) = 0.63). Pull-ups and push-ups were poor predictors of performance in the majority of job tasks. Although the box lift and place had a larger correlation with the artillery gunner loading task than the generic assessment, it only accounted for 36% of the variance, indicating that a task simulation may be more appropriate to assess soldiers' capacity to perform this job task. These results support the use of a box lift and place rather than generic fitness tests for the evaluation of military manual handling tasks.

Objective The aim of this review was to determine how exoskeletons could assist Australian Defence Force personnel with manual handling tasks. Background Musculoskeletal injuries due to manual handling are physically damaging to personnel and financially costly to the Australian Defence Force. Exoskeletons may minimize injury risk by supporting, augmenting, and/or amplifying the user’s physical abilities. Exoskeletons are therefore of interest in determining how they could support the unique needs of military manual handling personnel. Method Industrial and military exoskeleton studies from 1990 to 2019 were identified in the literature. This included 67 unique exoskeletons, for which Information about their current state of development was tabulated. Results Exoskeleton support of manual handling tasks is largely through squat/deadlift (lower limb) systems (64%), with the proposed use case for these being load carrying (42%) and 78% of exoskeletons being active. Human–exoskeleton analysis was the most prevalent form of evaluation (68%) with reported reductions in back muscle activation of 15%–54%. Conclusion The high frequency of citations of exoskeletons targeting load carrying reflects the need for devices that can support manual handling workers. Exoskeleton evaluation procedures varied across studies making comparisons difficult. The unique considerations for military applications, such as heavy external loads and load asymmetry, suggest that a significant adaptation to current technology or customized military-specific devices would be required for the introduction of exoskeletons into a military setting. Application Exoskeletons in the literature and their potential to be adapted for application to military manual handling tasks are presented.

This approach could be applied when developing physical employment standards across other multi-occupation organisations.

Beck, B, Carstairs, GL, Billing, DC, Caldwell, JN, and Middleton, KJ. Modifiable anthropometric characteristics are associated with unilateral and bilateral carry performance. J Strength Cond Res 31(2): 489-494, 2017-A mismatch between physical ability and task requirements can increase the risk of on-the-job injury. Therefore, understanding key anthropometric characteristics associated with job performance is important in developing targeted training programs and selecting employees in physically demanding occupations. The aims of this study were to understand which anthropometric and demographic (age/sex) characteristics were associated with performance in a unilateral stretcher carry and bilateral jerry can and kettle bell carries. Sixty-seven enlisted Australian Army soldiers (46 men and 21 women) participated in this investigation. Body composition was quantified using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Univariate and multivariable regression techniques were used to quantify correlations between anthropometric characteristics and carry performance. Median carry distance was 650 m (interquartile range [IQR] = 425-1,025 m) in the stretcher carry, 300 m (IQR = 215-445 m) in the jerry can carry, and 265 m (IQR = 200-400 m) in the kettle bell carry. Univariate analyses demonstrated that whole body, trunk, upper arm, forearm, and leg lean mass, as well as stature and body mass were associated with performance across the 3 carry tasks. Of these, leg lean mass was shown to be a key characteristic associated with carry performance. Subsequently, it is suggested that training programs focus on whole-body lean mass with specific emphasis on leg lean mass. Additionally, we demonstrated that age and sex were not significantly associated with carry performance when controlling for leg lean mass, indicating that modifiable factors can be targeted in training programs to improve job performance.

To examine the type and effectiveness of various strategies used by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) fast jet (FJ) aircrew in self-referral and management of flight-related neck pain, a 6-section, 18-question survey tool was distributed to 86 eligible RAAF aircrew. Selective results from the sections evaluating aircrew demographics, incidence of flight-related neck pain, and the self-referral strategies of aircrew to manage these injuries are presented here. Eighty-two RAAF FJ aircrew responded to the survey. Ninety-five percent of the respondents experienced flight-related neck pain. The most commonly sought treatment modalities were on-base medical and physiotherapy services. Many respondents reported that currently provided on-base treatment and ancillary services such as chiropractic therapy are the most effective in alleviating symptoms. Further investigation into the effectiveness and safety of these ancillary therapies needs to be performed to allow appropriate consideration of their place in the management of neck pain in FJ aircrew.