title: Descriptive Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Naval Special Warfare Sea, Air, and Land Operators.
abstract: The purpose of this analysis was to describe medical chart reviewed musculoskeletal injuries among Naval Special Warfare Sea, Air, and Land Operators. 210 Operators volunteered (age: 28.1 ± 6.0 years, height: 1.8 ± 0.1 m, weight: 85.4 ± 9.3 kg). Musculoskeletal injury data were extracted from subjects' medical charts, and injuries that occurred during 1 year were described. Anatomic location of injury, cause of injury, activity when injury occurred, and injury type were described. The frequency of injuries was 0.025 per Operator per month. Most injuries involved the upper extremity (38.1% of injuries). Frequent anatomic sublocations for injuries were the shoulder (23.8%) and lumbopelvic region of the spine (12.7%). Lifting was the cause of 7.9% of injuries. Subjects were participating in training when 38.1% of injuries occurred and recreational activity/sports when 12.7% of injuries occurred. Frequent injury types were strain (20.6%), pain/spasm/ache (19.0%), fracture (11.1%), and sprain (11.1%). The results of this analysis underscore the need to investigate the risk factors, especially of upper extremity and physical activity related injuries, in this population of Operators. There is a scope for development of a focused, customized injury prevention program, targeting the unique injury profile of this population.
authors.affiliation: Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 3830 South Water Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203.
authors.forename: Mita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lovalekar
authors.affiliation: Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 3830 South Water Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203.
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Abt
authors.affiliation: Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 3830 South Water Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203.
authors.forename: Timothy C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Sell
authors.affiliation: Department of the Navy, Naval Special Warfare, 1300 Helicopter Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23459.
authors.forename: Dallas E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.affiliation: University of Kentucky, Charles T. Wethington, Jr. Building, Room 123, Lexington, KY 40536-0200.
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lephart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009141:Musculoskeletal System / Q000293:injuries*; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011998:Recreation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000293:injuries*; D055815:Young Adult