title: Prevalence of low back pain among soldiers at an army base.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Low back pain (LBP) is a major medical and social problem among working populations and is associated with high medical expense, loss of productivity, and disability. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of LBP among soldiers and evaluate the possible causative factors in military training. The results may provide an insight into changes needed in military training that will reduce the occurrence of LBP among soldiers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a group of young soldiers in China to estimate the prevalence of LBP and evaluate possible causative factors in military training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survey was distributed to 1659 soldiers, of whom 1624 responded. LBP was reported by 425 of the 1624 (26.2%) soldiers. The prevalence of LBP was higher in the armored force (51.3%) than in the artillery (27.5%) or infantry (11.9%). A multivariate logical regression analysis identified night training, 5 km cross-country race, and grenade-throwing training as military training risk factors for LBP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The relatively high incidence of LBP among soldiers was related to night training, 5 km racing, and grenade throwing. Modifications in these training methods should enhance the health of recruits and lower the incidence of LBP.
authors: Department of Orthopedics, 117th People's Liberation Army Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310004, China. hou310000@126.com
authors: Zhen-hai
authors: ZH
authors: Hou
authors: Jian-guo
authors: JG
authors: Shi
authors: Hong
authors: H
authors: Ye
authors: Zhi-ming
authors: ZM
authors: Ni
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Yao
authors: Long-bao
authors: LB
authors: Zheng
authors: Zhi-rong
authors: ZR
authors: Liu
authors: Ying
authors: Y
authors: Gao
authors: Jian
authors: J
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult