Peak Plantar Pressure as a Risk Factor for Lower Extremity Overuse Injury Among Infantry Soldiers

Vaivads

BMC Musculoskelet Disord

2021

Self Cite

Background High rates of musculoskeletal injuries such as plantar fasciitis and stress fractures have been observed among physically active military personnel. During service time, infantry soldiers use issued boots daily that should fit well and provide comfort to prevent injuries and decrease lower extremity pain effectively. The association of military boot comfort with overuse injuries remains unclear. This study investigates the relationship between the chosen military boot size, perceived boot comfort and lower leg overuse injury. Methods During the cross-sectional study, 227 (males, n = 213; females, n = 14) active-duty infantry soldiers at a mean age of 29.5 years old, and with an average service time of 7.2 years were assessed for a history of overuse injury, footprint length, appropriate shoe size, and footwear comfort. Males with a history of overuse injury (n = 32) and non-injured age-matched controls (n = 34) were selected for detailed testing and establishing the possible relationship between footwear comfort and lower leg overuse injury. Results No relationship was found between footwear comfort and a history of lower leg overuse injury. N = 38 (57.6%) of study subjects were wearing an inappropriate shoe size daily. Inappropriate shoe size usage affected footwear comfort ratings significantly. Conclusions Study results showed that improper boot size was significantly related to comfort ratings but was not associated with a history of lower leg overuse injury.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship of footwear comfort, selected size, and lower leg overuse injuries among infantry soldiers

Vaivads

BMC Musculoskelet Disord

2021

Self Cite

“…Sample size was calculated using the open-source calculator (OpenEpi, Open Source Statistics for Public Health) [41], estimate based on one-year musculoskeletal lower extremity injury among Latvian Land Forces (12.4%) [8].…”

Section: Data Processing and Statistical Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several risk factors for lower extremity overuse injury have been previously identified, including age, gender and peak plantar pressure [8,9]. Jacobsson et al discovered an elevated risk of sustaining a subsequent injury in athletes with inadequate primary injury recovery [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased Barefoot Stride Variability Might Be Predictor Rather than Risk Factor for Overuse Injury in the Military

Vaivads²,

2023

IJERPH

Footwear usage could be a promising focus in reducing musculoskeletal injury risk in lower extremities commonly observed among the military. The goal of this research was to find potential gait-related risk factors for lower leg overuse injuries. Cases (n = 32) were active-duty infantry soldiers who had suffered an overuse injury in the previous six months of service before enrolling in the study. The control group (n = 32) included infantry soldiers of the same age and gender who did not have a history of lower leg overuse injury. In the gait laboratory, individuals were asked to walk on a 5-m walkway. Rearfoot eversion, ankle plantar/dorsiflexion and stride parameters were evaluated for barefoot and shod conditions. Barefoot walking was associated with higher stride time variability among cases. According to the conditional regression analysis, stride time variability greater than 1.95% (AUC = 0.77, 95% CI (0.648 to 0.883), p < 0.001) during barefoot gait could predict lower leg overuse injury. Increased barefoot gait variability should be considered as a possible predictive factor for lower leg overuse injury in the military, and gait with military boots masked stride-related differences between soldiers with and without lower leg overuse injury.

“…Health) [33], estimate was based on one-year musculoskeletal lower extremity injury among Latvian Land Forces (12.4%) [9].…”

Section: Data Processing and Statistical Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several risk factors for overuse injury of the lower extremities have previously been identi ed, including gender, age, previous injury [8], and peak plantar pressure [9]. The role of military footwear in the development of injuries among military personnel remains debatable.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gait parameter change among infantry soldiers with and without a history of lower leg overuse injury

Vaivads²,

2022

Preprint

Self Cite

Background A high incidence of lower leg overuse injury has been observed among military populations. Footwear usage could be promising in reducing the risk of injury from overuse of the lower extremities. The purposeof this study was to identify possible gait-related risk factors for lower leg overuse injurieswhen walking barefoot and in military boots. Methods Cases (n=32) were active-duty infantry soldiers from Latvian Land Forces with a history of overuse injury during the last 6 months of service before entering the study. During the study period, the cases recovered completely from the injury, did not report any functional limits, and were able to participate in all kinds of physical activities. Controls (n=32) of the same age and gender were free of injury in the same time period. Study subjects were instructed to walk on a 5-meter walkway in the gait laboratory. Rearfoot eversion, ankle plantar/dorsiflexion and stride time, length and variability were evaluated for barefoot and shod conditions. Results Gait-related parameters during shod and barefoot conditions differ in both groups. The barefoot stride time and the stride time variability were statistically different between cases and controls. No significant differences were found for stride length and stride time variability among groups. Conditional regression analysis showed that stride time variability during barefoot gait statistically significantly predicted the risk oflower leg overuse injury. ROC analysis showed an AUC of 0.77 (p<0.001; 95% CI 0.648-0.883), a sensitivity of 56%, and aspecificity of 88%, with an optimal cut-off value for stride time variability of 1.95%. Conclusions The risk of injury was independent of thegait-related characteristics during shod gait. Stride time variability has low sensitivity, but if the variability value during the barefoot walk is less than 1.95%, it can be considered a negative risk factor for lower leg overuse injury among infantry soldiers. Trial registration Not applicable.