Exposure to risk factors for the development of lower limb osteoarthritis during Army infantry training

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative musculoskeletal condition which affects the joints. Rates of lower limb OA in military personnel have been increasing over time and are becoming more prevalent in younger personnel. This has the potential to lead to personnel discharge and losses in, and impacts on, military capability. Therefore, the purpose of this study was two-fold: (1) to determine the exposure of Army trainees qualifying as infantry soldiers to occupational tasks associated with the development of lower limb OA, and (2) to compare the cumulative exposure to such tasks to minimum exposure thresholds set by the Australian Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA) for the development of lower limb OA.