Self-reported load carriage injuries of military soldiers (original) (raw)

Soldier Load Carriage, Injuries, Rehabilitation and Physical Conditioning: An International Approach

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Soldiers are often required to carry heavy loads that can exceed 45 kg. The physiological costs and biomechanical responses to these loads, whilst varying with the contexts in which they are carried, have led to soldier injuries. These injuries can range from musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., joint/ligamentous injuries and stress fractures) to neurological injuries (e.g., paresthesias), and impact on both the soldier and the army in which they serve. Following treatment to facilitate initial recovery from injuries, soldiers must be progressively reconditioned for load carriage. Optimal conditioning and reconditioning practices include load carriage sessions with a frequency of one session every 10–14 days in conjunction with a program of both resistance and aerobic training. Speed of march and grade and type of terrain covered are factors that can be adjusted to manipulate load carriage intensity, limiting the need to adjust load weight alone. Factors external to the load carriage pro...

Gender differences in load carriage injuries of Australian army soldiers

BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2016

With the removal of gender restrictions and the changing nature of warfare potentially increasing female soldier exposure to heavy military load carriage, the aim of this research was to determine relative risks and patterns of load carriage related injuries in female compared to male soldiers. The Australian Defence Force Occupational Health, Safety and Compensation Analysis and Reporting workplace injury database was searched to identify all reported load carriage injuries. Using key search terms, the narrative description fields were used as the search medium to identify records of interest. Population estimates of the female: male incident rate ratio (IRR) were calculated with ninety-five percent confidence interval (95% CI) around the population estimate of each IRR determined. Female soldiers sustained 10% (n = 40) of the 401 reported injuries, with a female to male IRR of 1.02 (95% CI 0.74 to 1.41). The most common site of injury for both genders was the back (F: n = 11, 27%;...

Biomechanics of Military Load Carriage and Resulting Musculoskeletal Injury: A Review

Journal of orthopedics and orthopedic surgery, 2020

Load carriage is a common activity used in daily tasks for many occupations, so understanding its injury mechanisms, as well as the biomechanical modifications made to gait and posture during load carriage, could reduce injury risk during this activity. The purpose of this review was to compile the most recent literature regarding biomechanical adaptations to load carriage, including its effects on musculoskeletal injury, kinematic, spatiotemporal, and kinetic adaptations, and insights about the future of load carriage research. Researchers found a high degree of injury in personnel who participate in heavy load carriage activities as a part of their job, with lower back and lower extremity injuries being the most common. An observation of several studies that measured kinematic, spatiotemporal, and kinetic adaptations suggest that there may be a threshold in which typical gait kinematics must change to account for the additional load. Not adapting proper mechanisms to deal with increased load carriage forces may lead to lower extremity injury. Future studies should observe how persons untrained in load carriage respond to these loads, and how controlling for variables like speed and cadence affect gait adaptations.

Load carriage: Reductions in soldier task performance and the risks posed

2012

Australian military personnel are required to carry load as part of their occupation. Research suggests that these loads are increasing with reports that Australian soldiers have carried mean loads of around 30 kg in the World Wars, 36 kg in Vietnam and 48 kg on operations over the last two decades. While acknowledged as causing soldier injuries, the impacts of load carriage on task performance are often forgotten. As soldier loads increase, the mobility, lethality (marksmanship and grenade throw ability), general task and attention-to-task abilities of the carrier have been found to decrease. Decreases in soldier mobility have altered the battle tactics of armies and increased casualties in previous and current conflicts. Through reducing a soldier’s ability to engage and suppress an enemy, decreases in lethality can be postulated to reduce the potential for mission success and increase the risk of battle casualties during an engagement. Considered concurrently, reductions in both ...

Combat Soldier Loads: Implications for Cumulative Overuse Injuries and Chronic Pain

PM&R, 2011

Throughout history, soldiers have carried heavy loads into battle. The value of improved personal protective equipment and the resultant increase in the combat load has proved itself through increased survivability from injuries that would have been fatal in previous wars. The advent of constantly improving body armor and helmet systems has dramatically decreased the amount of devastating head, chest, and abdominal penetrating trauma injuries. Paired with the lifesaving improvements from weightier personal protective equipment and overall combat load is an increase in the number and types of acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries. These injuries are among the most frequent reasons that soldiers seek medical care in theater and for medical evacuation out of theater. Figures 1 and 2 depict the average soldier with and without combat loads. There are variations of heavier combat loads than what is depicted here, depending on the type of soldier and mission. The weight of this soldier is 119 kg (262 lb), compared with a weight of 73 kg (160 lb) when wearing only the physical fitness uniform (shorts, T-shirt, running shoes). This soldier carries at least an additional 53 kg (102 lb) into combat situations, an extra load equal to 64% of his body weight. When soldiers must carry combat loads that approximate their body weight for extended periods of time and over multiple combat tours, their musculoskeletal system ages faster than normal. The knee alone withstands forces 3-6 times body weight [1]. For every 4.54 kg (10 lb) of additional weight on a soldier, the knee experiences an average of 20.4 kg Figure 1. Soldier in physical training uniform (73 kg [160 lb]).

Injuries in Australian Army full-time and part-time personnel undertaking basic training

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2019

Background: Musculoskeletal injuries are a problem in military personnel as they detract from force readiness and may prevent deployment. Injuries occur during basic training at three times the rate observed in post-training military service and more commonly in part time (PT) when compared to full time (FT) army personnel. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in rates and patterns of reported injuries between full time (FT) and part time (PT) personnel undertaking army basic training. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to determine and compare rates and patterns of injuries which occurred during basic training in PT and FT personnel. Injury data from the period 01 July 2012 to 30 June 2014 was obtained in a non-identifiable format from the Workplace Health, Safety, Compensation and Reporting (WHSCAR) database of the Australian Department of Defence. Analysis included descriptive statistics and the calculation of injury rates and injury rate ratios. Results: A total of 1385 injuries were reported across FT and PT cohorts, with an injury rate ratio for FT:PT of 1.06 [0.80-1.40], when accounting for exposure. In FT personnel, 1192 (90%) were Minor Personal Injuries (MPIs) and 43 (3.2%) Serious Personal Injuries (SPIs). In PT personnel, 147 (94.8%) were MPIs and three (1.9%) SPIs. In both FT and PT personnel, injuries most commonly: occurred during Physical Training (41.7% FT, 515 MPIs, 10 SPIs, 32% PT. 48 MPIs, 1 SPI); affected the knee (FT 41.7% 159 MPIs, 7 SPIs, PT 36.0%, 22 MPIs, 0 SPIs); involved soft tissue damage (FT 60.9%, 744 MPIs, 8 SPIs, PT 69.3%, 103 MPIs, 1 SPI); and were due to muscular stress (FT 41.7%, 509 MPIs, 6 SPIs, PT 36%, 54 MPIs, 0 SPIs). Conclusions: FT and PT recruits exhibited similar injury profiles, with mechanisms, sites and types of injuries in agreement with other research. Given these similarities, effective interventions that reduce injury risks in either population will likely benefit both.

Occupational and Non-Occupational Injuries in the United States Army

American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2007

Background: The differences in occupational and non-occupational injuries between military men and women have not been documented. This study compares occupational and non-occupational injuries between male and female United States Army soldiers by examining injury hospitalization rates and characteristics.

Musculoskeletal Lower Limb Injury Risk in Army Populations

Sports medicine - open, 2016

Injuries are common within military populations, with high incidence rates well established in the literature. Injuries cause a substantial number of working days lost, a significant cost through compensation claims and an increased risk of attrition. In an effort to address this, a considerable amount of research has gone into identifying the most prevalent types of injury and their associated risk factors. Collective evidence suggests that training and equipment contribute to a large proportion of the injuries sustained. In particular, the large loads borne by soldiers, the high intensity training programs and the influence of footwear have been identified as significant causative factors of lower limb injury in military populations. A number of preventative strategies have been developed within military bodies around the world to address these issues. The relative success of these strategies is highly variable; however, with advancements in technology, new approaches will become ...