title: The effect of training on lumbar spine posture and intervertebral disc degeneration in active-duty Marines.
abstract: Military training aims to improve load carriage performance and reduce risk of injuries. Data describing the lumbar spine (LS) postural response to load carriage throughout training are limited. We hypothesised that training would reduce the LS postural response to load. The LS posture of 27 Marines was measured from upright MR images: with and without load (22.6 kg) at the beginning, middle, and end of School of Infantry (SOI) training. Disc degeneration was graded at L5-S1. No changes in posture and disc degeneration were found throughout training. During load carriage the LS became less lordotic and the sacrum more horizontal. Marines with disc degeneration had larger sacral postural perturbations in response to load. Our findings suggest that the postural response to load is defined more by the task needs than by the physical condition of the Marine. Practitioner Summary: The effect of military training on lumbar spine posture is unknown. The lumbar posture of 27 Marines was measured from upright MR images, with and without load throughout infantry training. No changes in posture or IVD degeneration were found across training. Marines with degeneration at the L5-S1 level had larger sacral postural perturbations in response to load.
authors: a Department of Bioengineering , University of California , San Diego , CA , USA.
authors: Ana E
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9544-547X
authors: AE
authors: Rodriguez-Soto
authors: a Department of Bioengineering , University of California , San Diego , CA , USA.
authors: David B
authors: DB
authors: Berry
authors: b Department of Warfighter Performance , Naval Health Research Center , San Diego , CA , USA.
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Jaworski
authors: b Department of Warfighter Performance , Naval Health Research Center , San Diego , CA , USA.|c School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences , San Diego State University , San Diego , CA , USA.
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Jensen
authors: d Department of Radiology , Veteran Administration San Diego Healthcare System , San Diego , CA , USA.|e Department of Radiology , University of California, San Diego Medical Center , San Diego , CA , USA.
authors: Christine B
authors: CB
authors: Chung
authors: b Department of Warfighter Performance , Naval Health Research Center , San Diego , CA , USA.|c School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences , San Diego State University , San Diego , CA , USA.
authors: Brenda
authors: B
authors: Niederberger
authors: f Vital Imaging Center , San Diego CA , USA.
authors: Aziza
authors: A
authors: Qadir
authors: b Department of Warfighter Performance , Naval Health Research Center , San Diego , CA , USA.|c School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences , San Diego State University , San Diego , CA , USA.
authors: Karen R
authors: KR
authors: Kelly
authors: a Department of Bioengineering , University of California , San Diego , CA , USA.|g Department of Radiology , University of California , San Diego , CA , USA.|h Department of Orthopaedic Surgery , University of California , San Diego , CA , USA.
authors: Samuel R
authors: SR
authors: Ward
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D002140:California; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017770:Lifting; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Military; load carriage; lumbar spine; posture; sacral slope; training