title: Heavy Loads and Lifting are Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Injuries in Deployed Female Soldiers.
abstract: The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to investigate physical, occupational, and psychosocial risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) in deployed female soldiers. Before deployment, participants completed performance testing and surveys and after deployment an additional survey detailing occupational demands and MSI. Data analyzed found 57/160 (36%) suffered 78 MSI. In unadjusted analyses, these factors increased the relative risk (RR, 95% confidence interval) of injury: wearing an average load >10% body weight (BW) (RR = 2.00, 1.31-4.57), wearing an average load >1 hour (RR = 2.44, 1.30-4.57), heaviest load worn >15% BW (RR = 5.83, 1.51-22.50), wearing a backpack (RR = 1.82, 1.23-2.80), wearing body armor >1 hour (RR = 1.62, 1.002-2.62), lifting objects weighing above 22.68 kg (RR = 1.96, 1.08-3.57), lifting objects one to two times (RR = 1.73, 1.002-2.97), carrying objects >7.62 m (RR = 2.01, 1.19-3.42), and Y Balance composite score <95.23 (RR = 1.71, 1.13-2.60). The best logistic regression model predicting MSI was average load as % BW (odds ratio [OR] = 1.04, 1.01-1.07), heaviest load as % BW (OR = 1.03, 1.01-1.05), average repetitions lifting objects (OR = 1.07, 1.01-1.14), and sit-ups (OR = 0.93, 0.93-0.99). Results indicate that risk of MSI in deployed female soldiers increased with heavier equipment worn and more repetitious lifting, although more performing more sit-ups on the fitness test before deployment reduced the risk.
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 4028 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15260.
authors.forename: Tanja C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 4028 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15260.
authors.forename: Sara R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Piva
authors.affiliation: 1st Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, 3780 53rd Street, Fort Campbell, KY 42223.
authors.forename: Bryan C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.affiliation: 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Unit 31401, Box 53, APO, AE 09630.
authors.forename: Jonathan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Lesher
authors.affiliation: 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Unit 31401, Box 53, APO, AE 09630.
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.affiliation: 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, 10200 North Riva Ridge Loop, Fort Drum, NY 13602.
authors.forename: Rachel M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Waring
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 4028 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15260.
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Irrgang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Center for Research on Health Care Data Center, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Meyran Avenue, Suite 300, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
authors.forename: Charity G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.affiliation: Medical Research and Materiel Command, 810 Schreider Street, Fort Detrick, MD 21702.
authors.forename: Teresa L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Brininger
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, 15 Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760.
authors.forename: Marilyn A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sharp
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires