Abstract
BackgroundMusculoskeletal injuries (MSkIs) are a leading cause of health care utilization, as well as limited duty and disability in the US military and other armed forces. MSkIs affect members of the military during initial training, operational training, and deployment and have a direct negative impact on overall troop readiness. Currently, a systematic overview of all risk factors for MSkIs in the military is not available.MethodsA systematic literature search was carried out using the PubMed, Ovid/Medline, and Web of Science databases from January 1, 2000 to September 10, 2019. Additionally, a reference list scan was performed (using the “snowball method”). Thereafter, an international, multidisciplinary expert panel scored the level of evidence per risk factor, and a classification of modifiable/non-modifiable was made.ResultsIn total, 176 original papers and 3 meta-analyses were included in the review. A list of 57 reported potential risk factors was formed. For 21 risk factors, the level of evidence was considered moderate or strong. Based on this literature review and an in-depth analysis, the expert panel developed a model to display the most relevant risk factors identified, introducing the idea of the “order of importance” and including concepts that are modifiable/non-modifiable, as well as extrinsic/intrinsic risk factors.ConclusionsThis is the qualitative systematic review of studies on risk factors for MSkIs in the military that has attempted to be all-inclusive. A total of 57 different potential risk factors were identified, and a new, prioritizing injury model was developed. This model may help us to understand risk factors that can be addressed, and in which order they should be prioritized when planning intervention strategies within military groups.
Highlights
Musculoskeletal injuries (MSkIs) are a leading cause of health care utilization, as well as limited duty and disability in the US military and other armed forces
MSkIs have been shown to make up 50% of disease and Sammito et al Military Medical Research (2021) 8:66 non-battle injury (DNBI) casualties, and 43% of Disease and nonbattle injury (DNBI) casualties requiring evacuation
For several risk factors, such as sex, there is an ongoing debate on whether there is a direct association with an increased risk of MSkIs, or whether the association is indirect via a confounding risk factor [27]
Summary
Musculoskeletal injuries (MSkIs) are a leading cause of health care utilization, as well as limited duty and disability in the US military and other armed forces. A systematic overview of all risk factors for MSkIs in the military is not available. MSkIs affect members of the military during initial training [7], operational training [8], and deployment [9], and have a direct negative impact on overall troop readiness. The consequences of MSkIs are reduced individual fitness and health [12], and discharge from military duty [13, 14]. An overall summary of the published data on risk factors for MSkIs in the military is not available. There is no model that clarifies the relative order of importance of the risk factors for MSkIs in the military
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call