Injury Prevention Exercises for Reduced Incidence of Injuries in Combat Soldiers

Chronic Ankle Instability and Neuromuscular Performance in Prerecruitment Infantry Soldiers

CONTEXT

Ankle instability can describe various impairments, including perceived instability (PI), mechanical instability (MI), and recurrent sprains (RSs), alone or combined.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the prevalence of 8 ankle impairment subgroups and their effect on neuromuscular performance in prerecruitment combat soldiers.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Military infantry basic training base.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

A total of 364 infantry male combat soldiers entering basic training (aged 18-21 years).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Participants were assessed for PI (via the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool), MI (using the Anterior Drawer Test and Medial Talar Tilt Test), and RSs (based on history) of their dominant and nondominant legs. Injuries were categorized in 8 subgroups: PI, RSs, PI + RSs, MI, PI + MI, MI + RSs, PI + MI + RSs, and none. Participants were screened for neuromuscular performance (dynamic postural balance, proprioceptive ability, hopping agility, and triceps surae muscle strength) during the first week of military basic training.

RESULTS

For the dominant and nondominant legs, RSs were reported by 18.4% (n = 67) and 20.3% (n = 74) of the participants, respectively; PI was reported by 27.1% (n = 99) and 28.5% (n = 104) of the participants, respectively; and MI was seen in 9.9% (n = 36) and 8.5% (n = 31) of the participants, respectively. A 1-way analysis of variance showed differences in the mean proprioceptive ability scores (assessed using the Active Movement Extent Discrimination Apparatus) of all subgroups with impairments in both the dominant and nondominant legs (F = 6.943, η2 = 0.081, P < .001 and F = 7.871, η2 = 0.091, P < .001, respectively). Finally, differences were found in the mean muscle strength of subgroups with impairment in the nondominant leg (F = 4.884, η2 = 0.056, P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

A high prevalence of ankle impairments was identified among participants who exhibited reduced abilities in most neuromuscular assessments compared with those who did not have impairments. Moreover, participants with 1 impairment (PI, MI, or RSs) exhibited different neuromuscular performance deficits than those with >1 impairment.

Barriers and facilitators to implementation of musculoskeletal injury mitigation programmes for military service members around the world: a scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Musculoskeletal injury (MSK-I) mitigation and prevention programmes (MSK-IMPPs) have been developed and implemented across militaries worldwide. Although programme efficacy is often reported, development and implementation details are often overlooked, limiting their scalability, sustainability and effectiveness. This scoping review aimed to identify the following in military populations: (1) barriers and facilitators to implementing and scaling MSK-IMPPs; (2) gaps in MSK-IMPP research and (3) future research priorities.

METHODS

A scoping review assessed literature from inception to April 2022 that included studies on MSK-IMPP implementation and/or effectiveness in military populations. Barriers and facilitators to implementing these programmes were identified.

RESULTS

From 132 articles, most were primary research studies (90; 68.2%); the remainder were review papers (42; 31.8%). Among primary studies, 3 (3.3%) investigated only women, 62 (69%) only men and 25 (27.8%) both. Barriers included limited resources, lack of stakeholder engagement, competing military priorities and equipment-related factors. Facilitators included strong stakeholder engagement, targeted programme design, involvement/proximity of MSK-I experts, providing MSK-I mitigation education, low burden on resources and emphasising end-user acceptability. Research gaps included variability in reported MSK-I outcomes and no consensus on relevant surveillance metrics and definitions.

CONCLUSION

Despite a robust body of literature, there is a dearth of information about programme implementation; specifically, barriers or facilitators to success. Additionally, variability in outcomes and lack of consensus on MSK-I definitions may affect the development, implementation evaluation and comparison of MSK-IMPPs. There is a need for international consensus on definitions and optimal data reporting elements when conducting injury risk mitigation research in the military.

Achilles Tendon and Patellar Tendon Structure in Combat Soldiers Following Prevention Exercises

INTRODUCTION

Military training that increases physical stress on musculoskeletal morphology also increases the risk of orthopedic injuries. Somatosensory prevention programs that reduce stress and improve functionality could be beneficial for better organization of tendon structure. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a somatosensory prevention exercise on the tendon structure (percentage of echo-type fibers; A-P and M-L diameters and cross-sectional area) of the Achilles tendon and patellar tendon among combat soldiers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

These tendons of male Infantry soldiers aged 18-21 were screened before and after a 14-week training course. The intervention group, who performed preventative exercises, included 108 soldiers (BMI = 23.85 ± 2.76), while the control group, who participated in the same military course without these exercises, included 98 soldiers (BMI = 24.26 ± 4.03). Ultrasound scanning for tendon structure included percent of echo-type I-IV fibers, A-P diameter, M-L diameter, and cross-sectional area parameters.

RESULTS

Time by group interaction was found for echo-type I and II in both tendons. No significant differences were found between the two groups in the pretesting percentage of echo-type IV fibers of the Achilles tendon (P = .522), in echo-type III fibers of the Achilles tendon (P = .833), and echo-type IV fibers of the patellar tendon (P = .162). Greater pre-post differences in echo-type III and IV fibers were found in the control group compared with the intervention group for both the Achilles tendon (P = .021, P = .002) and the patellar tendon (P < .001, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Increased damaged fibers (echo-type III and IV) of both tendons were found among the control group, yet not among soldiers who performed prevention exercises.

Prevention of Lower Extremity Musculoskeletal Injuries in Tactical and First Responder Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials From 1955 to 2020

ABSTRACT

Sinnott, AM, Krajewski, KT, LaGoy, AD, Beckner, ME, Proessl, F, Canino, MC, Nindl, BC, Turner, RL, Lovalekar, MT, Connaboy, C, and Flanagan, SD. Prevention of lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries in tactical and first responder populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials from 1955 to 2020. J Strength Cond Res 37(1): 239-252, 2023-Lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries (LEMSIs) impose a significant burden on tactical and first responder populations. To determine the effectiveness of LEMSI prevention strategies, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials published in English from 1955 to 2020 (PROSPERO: CRD42018081799). MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, CINAHL, ProQuest, and DTIC databases were searched for trials that assigned military service members, police, firefighters, or paramedics to LEMSI prevention interventions with a minimum surveillance period of 12 weeks. Evidence was synthesized as odds ratios (OR) for LEMSI occurrence between individuals assigned to interventions and those assigned to standard activities. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2.0. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for (a) physical training and (b) footwear modifications to reduce LEMSI and (c) footwear modifications to reduce stress fractures specifically. Certainty in the body of evidence was determined with the GRADE approach. Of 28,499 records, 18 trials comprised of more than 11,000 subjects were synthesized. Interventions included physical training (8, N = 6,838), footwear modifications (8, N = 3,792), nutritional supplementation (1, N = 324), and training modifications (1, N = 350). Overall risk of bias was generally moderate ( N = 7 of 18) or high ( N = 9 of 18). Physical training (OR = 0.87, 95% CI [0.71, 1.08], p = 0.22, I 2 = 58.4%) and footwear modification (OR = 1.13, 95% CI [0.85, 1.49], p = 0.42, I 2 = 0.0%) did not reduce LEMSI or stress fractures (OR = 0.76, 95% CI [0.45, 1.28], p = 0.30, I 2 = 70.7%). Our results indicate that there is weak evidence to support current LEMSI prevention strategies. Future efforts will benefit from longer surveillance periods, assessment of women and nonmilitary populations, improved methodological rigor, and a greater breadth of approaches.