Fitness, training, cognitive and hormonal characteristics associated with musculoskeletal injury and physical performance in Special Operation Forces – An international perspective

Abstract

Special Operations Forces (SOF) Operators execute challenging, diverse mission sets worldwide and as such must maintain a high level of physical and mental prowess year-round. Given the tasks and demands required of SOF missions over a variety of terrains, under extreme environmental conditions, of varying duration and carrying heavy loads, keeping Operators in peak physical form and injury free are priorities of selection and training programs. Although physical training and conditioning are paramount to war-fighting capabilities and readiness of the SOF Operators, military training results in the greatest cumulative source of acute and chronic injuries in this population. As such, the overall objective of this symposium is to identify risk factors associated with musculoskeletal injuries and suboptimal physical performance to aid in mitigating injuries and in optimizing military readiness.