Heavy Loads and Lifting are Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Injuries in Deployed Female Soldiers

Roy, Tanja C.; Piva, Sara R.; Christiansen, Bryan; Lesher, Jonathan D.; Doyle, Peter; Waring, Rachel M.; Irrgang, James J.; Moore, Charity G.; Brininger, Teresa L.; Sharp, Marilyn A.

doi:10.7205/milmed-d-15-00435

Cited by 35 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 153 publications

(484 reference statements)

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“…The present study did not identify BMI as a predictor of attrition in female light infantry soldiers, which might be explained by the narrow distribution of BMI values in the tested population, in which 47.3% of subjects were of normal weight, and less than 10% were either underweight or obese. The lack of a relationship between BMI and attrition in military recruits has previously been reported, and US Army data showed that the BMI of a recruit was not related to the rate of attrition during basic combat training [7,8,26,37,38]. Also, a study that measured the attrition among male and female soldiers found that enlistees who exceeded normal weight and amounts of body fat, but passed an endurance step-test and push-up test, did not have a significantly increased risk of attrition when compared with recruits with normal weight and body fat measurements [39].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The backpack weight was reduced due to the difference between the studied populations: male soldiers (mean height: 1.81±0.06 m; mean weight: 75.3±7.5 kg) compared with female soldiers (mean height: 1.61±0.06 m; mean weight: 61.8±10.2 kg), and was selected based on a pilot test with female soldiers, which identified the optimal weight to perform the test. A previously modified version of the Ranger Test that was also performed on female soldiers (median height: 1.60 m; median weight: 66.3 kg) used a 17 kg vest but reduced the bench height to 0.3 m [37]. However, in this previously published study, the soldiers were pre-deployment and past basic training, enabling a more strenuous test to be used [37].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A previously modified version of the Ranger Test that was also performed on female soldiers (median height: 1.60 m; median weight: 66.3 kg) used a 17 kg vest but reduced the bench height to 0.3 m [37]. However, in this previously published study, the soldiers were pre-deployment and past basic training, enabling a more strenuous test to be used [37].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of Two Simple Functional Tests to Predict Attrition from Combat Service in Female Light Infantry Soldiers

2018

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BackgroundWorldwide, there is a high attrition rate, or dropout rate, from combat in trained soldiers, mainly due to musculoskeletal injuries. This study aimed to determine whether the use of an upper limb stability test, the Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test (UQYBT), and a modified version of the Ranger Test (MRT) that included a lower limb step-up endurance test, could predict attrition from combat service in female infantry soldiers.Material/MethodsIn 2015, a group of 167 newly recruited female light infantry soldiers were evaluated using the UQYBT and the MRT. Data regarding attrition from combat service were collected in 2017, 18 months after screening. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictive effect of body mass index (BMI), UQYBT, and MRT scores on attrition from combat service.ResultsFifty-three female soldiers (31.7%) dropped out of combat service during the 18 months following recruitment. The MRT score was a significant predictor of attrition, with each additional incremental increase in the MRT score reducing the attrition rate by 6.8% (OR=0.934; 95% CI, 0.895–0.975). A cutoff MRT score of 12 increments predicted attrition with 73.7% sensitivity and 50.9% specificity. The UQYBT scores and BMI were not significant predictors.ConclusionsThe use of the MRT during military training, was a predictive screening method to predict attrition from combat service in Israeli female infantry soldiers. Further studies are required to evaluate the use of the MRT in other groups of women in the military.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of Two Simple Functional Tests to Predict Attrition from Combat Service in Female Light Infantry Soldiers

2018

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“…This is likely due to cumulative effect through time of service as senior military personnel has longer exposure of physical load than junior military personnel. Earlier studies have also reported effects of gender on the development of low back pain [42,43]. Bar-Dayan et al [41] (OR = 1.93, CI 1.89-1.98), Feuerstein et al [16] (OR = 6.59, CI 1.79 -24.24), Knox et al [9] (IRR = 1.45) has discovered that females has increased low back pain risk as compared to their male counterparts.…”

Section: Personal Risk Factors Of Lbp In the Militarymentioning

confidence: 94%

A Narrative Review: Risk Factors of Low Back Pain in Military Personnel/Recruits

Waqqash¹,

Hafiz²,

Hamid³

et al. 2018

IJET

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Military personnel are one of the occupations at high risk of developing low back pain (LBP) due to its job demands. Low back pain (LBP) is a major cause of morbidity and lost from work among military personnel. This narrative review was conducted to determine the risk factors of LBP in military personnel/recruits. Searches focusing on causal comparative and epidemiology studies using OVIDMedline, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, PubMed, and Scopus databases from year January 1950 to April 2018. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was used to select and synthesis of studies. The strongest personal risk factors identified were history of LBP (OR = 8.91, CI = 1.71 -46.5), female gender (OR: 6.59, CI 1.79 – 24.24), aerobic exercise involvement (OR = 4.39, CI 1.53- 12.57) and older age (OR 4.16). The strongest occupational risk factors identified were prolonged hours of flight per day (OR=11.3, CI 5.2 -24.8), driving in forward bending posture (OR = 3.63, CI 1.06 – 12.42), branch of services (Army; OR 2.74, CI 2.60-2.89 & Air Force; 1.98, CI 1.84 -2.14), Night training (OR = 1.8-2.0, CI 1.1 – 3.1) and whole-body vibration exposure (OR 1.94, CI 1.02 -3.69). The strongest psychosocial risk factors identified were worries (OR = 5.47, CI 1.70- 17.62), no support from others (OR = 4.0, CI 1.31 -12.34) high work stress (OR = 3.47, CI 1.31 – 12.34), depression (OR = 1.75, CI 1.08 -2.83), and psychological stress (OR 1.71). This review summarizes the personal, occupational and psychosocial risk factors associated with LBP among military personnel/ recruits. LBP risk factors differs based on the military branch of services and job scope. Primary LBP risk factor for Air Force pilots, helicopter pilots and military vehicle drivers LBP is sitting ergonomics. Primary LBP risk factor for army (i.e. combat infantry) identified are occupational physical exposure (military training, heavy lifting and carrying, patrol durations.) Further studies are required to verify if there is any interaction between personal, occupational, and psychosocial LBP risk factor categories among military personnel/recruits.

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“…The findings of narrative review by Waqqash et al [20] revealed that army personnel have high occupational physical exposure as their job scope requires usage of heavy body armour for a prolonged duration, heavy carrying and lifting, standing and marching for a long duration, and undergoing rigorous physical and combat training. According to Roy et al [16], the relative risk rates for LBP identified among army personnel are: (1) wearing a load more than 10% BW (RR = 2.00, 1.31-4.57), (2) wearing an average load for more than 1 hour (RR = 2.44, 1.30-4.57), (3) load worn more than 15% BW (RR = 5.83, 1.51-22.50), (4) wearing a backpack (RR = 1.82, 1.23-2.80), (5) wearing body armour >1 hour (RR = 1.62, 1.002-2.62), (6) Lifting objects weighing above 22.68 kg (RR = 1.96, 1.08-3.57), (7) Lifting objects one to two times (RR = 1.73, 1.002-2.97), and (8) carrying objects more than 7.62 m (RR = 2.01, 1.19-3.42).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and factors associated with low back pain among Malaysian army personnel stationed in Klang Valley

Chan

Hamid

Din³

et al. 2019

Biomedical Human Kinetics

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Study aim: The aims of this study were to examine the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and explore possible factors associated with LBP among Malaysian army personnel deployed in Klang Valley in the year 2018. Material and methods: A self-administered questionnaire on sociodemographic data, occupational background, occupational exposure and LBP evaluation was used in this study. A total of 330 respondents participated in this study and 321 (97%) of them completed and returned the questionnaires. Results: One hundred and fifty-seven respondents complained of LBP, giving a prevalence of 48.9%. LBP was found to be associated with smoking status, history of LBP, history of accident, military rank, category of regiment, lifting weights, pushing weights, pulling weights and job-related physical activity. Logistic regression analysis identified four associated risk factors of LBP: history of accident (OR = 4.42, 95% 2.29-8.55), history of LBP (OR=1.92, 95% 1.11-3.31), combat regiment (OR = 1.97, 95% 1.14-3.42) and high job-related physical activity (OR = 2.35, 95% 1.31-4.20). Conclusion: Almost half of Malaysian army personnel stationed in Klang Valley reported LBP symptoms. Smoking status, history of LBP, history of accident, junior non-commissioned officers (NCOs), combat regiments, manual handling of objects and moderate/high job-related physical activity are associated with LBP, but there is no evidence of a temporal relationship in the current study. Further exploration with a longitudinal study is needed to identify a cause and effect relationship between occupational exposure and LBP among Malaysian army personnel.

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Heavy Loads and Lifting are Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Injuries in Deployed Female Soldiers

Cited by 35 publications

References 153 publications

Evaluation of Two Simple Functional Tests to Predict Attrition from Combat Service in Female Light Infantry Soldiers

Evaluation of Two Simple Functional Tests to Predict Attrition from Combat Service in Female Light Infantry Soldiers

A Narrative Review: Risk Factors of Low Back Pain in Military Personnel/Recruits

Prevalence and factors associated with low back pain among Malaysian army personnel stationed in Klang Valley

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