Physical and Mental Health of US Air Force Military Training Instructors

Webber, Bryant J.; Flower, Alan M; Pathak, Sonal; Burganowski, Rachael P; Pawlak, Mary T; Gottfredson, Ryan C; White, Brian; Young, James A.

doi:10.1093/milmed/usy418

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…31 The abnormal work hours, career requirements, and occupational experiences put TAs at increased risk of developing MHCs. 3,8,10,11,13 Our research found that cultural stigma surrounding mental health impacted patients' willingness to acknowledge and discuss psychological concerns. Previous research O n l i n e F i r s t exhibited similar results and barriers to receiving mental healthcare among TAs: perceived ridicule from peers, lack of appropriate resources, associations with weakness, and concerns of negative career impacts.…”

Section: Population Normsmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…Psychological conditions are widely prevalent in various populations which indicates the need for healthcare providers to understand signs, management, and referral processes for patients with such conditions. 3,10,11,13,18 The educational outcomes received from a single psychology course and occasional continuing education programs within athletic training are not sufficient for clinicians to be adequately disciplined to implement psychosocial interventions into patient care. 29 Our participants reinforced this mentioning a need for additional mental health training, provided formally in ATPs and pursued individually, to effectively integrate psychosocial interventions into clinical practice.…”

Section: O N L I N E F I R S Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…9,12 Moreover, in 2019, mental health conditions (MHCs), regardless of specific diagnoses, was named the second leading diagnoses among military training instructors (10.4%). 13 However, mental health and associated healthcare is continually stigmatized in TA settings therefore numerous barriers to receiving care have been reported: stereotypes, non-supportive leadership, judgement from peers, disclosures not remaining confidentiality, and adverse career impacts. [14][15][16] While the military has implemented intentional efforts to investigate and mitigate mental health stigma, obstacles still exist that need to be overcome relative to resources and experience with providers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Experiences of Athletic Trainers in Tactical Athlete Settings When Managing Patients With Mental Health Conditions

Loveless

Games

Shea³

et al. 2023

Journal of Athletic Training

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Context Research demonstrates that job demands impair tactical athletes' mental health. Mental health stigma in this population and limited resources prevent individuals from receiving care. Athletic trainers (ATs) are often the first, and sometimes only, contact for mental health concerns. Previous literature indicates that ATs desire more psychosocial training and experience. Objective To investigate ATs' preparedness and experiences managing patients with mental health conditions in the tactical athlete setting. Setting One-on-one, semistructured interview. Design Consensual qualitative research. Patient or Other Participants 15 athletic trainers [males=7, females=8; age=36±10 years; experience in tactical athlete setting=4 years (range = 6 months-20 years); military=12, law enforcement=2; fire service=1]. Main Outcome Measures Interviews followed a 9-question protocol focused on job setting preparation, mental health training, and perceived role managing mental health concerns. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. A 3-person coding team convened for data analysis using the consensual qualitative research tradition. Credibility and trustworthiness were established using a stability check, member checking, and multi-analyst triangulation. Results Four domains emerged surrounding ATs mental health management experiences in tactical athletes: 1) population norms, 2) provider preparation, 3) provider context, and 4) structure of job responsibilities. Most ATs felt their educational experiences lacked comprehensive mental health training. Some participants described formal employer resources that were optional or mandatory for their job, while others engaged in self-education to feel prepared for this setting. Participants shared that unfamiliar experiences, such as divorce and deployment, influenced their context as providers. Most ATs had no policy related to mental healthcare and referral, indicating it was outside their responsibilities or were unsure of role delineation. Conclusion ATs working with tactical athletes suggested additional mental health education and training are necessary. The ATs also indicated improvement is needed in job structure regarding role delineation and establishment of policies regarding behavioral health.

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Section: Population Normsmentioning

confidence: 83%

Section: O N L I N E F I R S Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Experiences of Athletic Trainers in Tactical Athlete Settings When Managing Patients With Mental Health Conditions

Loveless

Games

Shea³

et al. 2023

Journal of Athletic Training

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“…Of this number, 9.6% (equivalent to 2,400 personnel) corresponds to naval officers, all trained at the Arturo Prat Naval Academy [ 40 ]. These figures show several aspects, such as the high number of officers [ 40 ] and, therefore, the need for this population to be studied from a psychological [ 11 , 13 ], health [ 12 ] and physical [ 10 , 38 ] performance perspective. This last dimension includes the transition phase considering that we hypothesize that naval cadets decrease their physical condition, associated with VO 2 max and anthropometric parameters, after a period without mandatory physical training; thus, with correctly applied training loads, physical fitness loss in this phase could be avoided [ 23 – 25 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of a period without mandatory physical training on maximum oxygen uptake and anthropometric parameters in naval cadets

2021

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The effects of a period without physical training on the civilian population are well established. However, no studies show the effects of a period without mandatory physical training on maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) and anthropometric parameters in naval cadets. This study aimed to investigate changes in VO2 max and anthropometric parameters after 12 weeks without mandatory physical training in naval cadets. The sample was 38 healthy and physically active naval cadets. The measured variables, including VO2 max and anthropometric parameters, were evaluated through the 12-minute race test (12MRT) and the somatotype. Both variables had a separation of 12 weeks without mandatory physical training. A t-test for related samples was used to evidence changes between the test and post-test; effect size was calculated through Cohen’s d-test. Distance in 12MRT and VO2 max showed significant decreases at the end of 12 weeks without mandatory physical training (p < 0.001). Likewise, the tricipital skinfold thickness and the endomorphic component showed significant increases (p < 0.05). 12 weeks without mandatory physical training significantly reduces the VO2 max in naval cadets. Simultaneously, the same period without physical training increases both the tricipital skinfold thickness and the endomorphic component in this population.

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“…Basic military training is physically and psychologically demanding, leaving recruits at high risk of injury. Musculoskeletal conditions are the largest contributor to the overall disease burden, accounting for 39.1% of all diagnoses, followed by mental health (10.4%) (1). Musculoskeletal injury (MSI) in military populations is a serious problem.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

To Investigate Musculoskeletal Status and Mental State of Female Recruits During Training

Qing-bo

Zhang

Sun

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Objective: To investigate the musculoskeletal status and psychological status of female recruits during military boot enlistment training. Methods: The musculoskeletal status and psychological status of 110 boot training patients were assessed by scale, the psychological status of the subjects was assessed by Zung Anxiety Self-Rating Scale and Zung Depression Self-Evaluation Scale, the musculoskeletal status was assessed by visual analogue scale, Neck disability index, JOA low back pain evaluation form, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score scale, the medical document data during boot training were collated, and the risk factors affecting physical and mental health were analyzed. Thus, interventions are taken to reduce the injury rate and improve training performance.Results: Logistic regression analysis showed that neck dysfunction was a risk factor for depressive state and lumbar dysfunction; lumbar dysfunction was a risk factor for anxiety state, neck dysfunction and pain symptoms around the knee joint; pain around the knee joint was a risk factor for lumbar dysfunction and a protective factor for neck dysfunction; anxiety state was a risk factor for depressive state; depression state was a risk factor for anxiety state and neck dysfunction; and young age was a protective factor for anxiety state. Conclusion: In 10 weeks of military training, the site with the highest musculoskeletal injury is around the knee joint, followed by the neck and waist. Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score scale scores were significantly associated with mental health status, with neck dysfunction increasing the risk of depression and lumbar dysfunction increasing the risk of anxiety in recruits. Prevention and treatment need to pay attention to these parts, gradually improve the balance, flexibility, strength of the body, while paying close attention to the mental health of recruits, so as to reduce the rate of injury. Keywords: recruits; military training; female soldiers; anxiety; depression; musculoskeletal injury.

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Physical and Mental Health of US Air Force Military Training Instructors

Cited by 8 publications

References 12 publications

Experiences of Athletic Trainers in Tactical Athlete Settings When Managing Patients With Mental Health Conditions

Experiences of Athletic Trainers in Tactical Athlete Settings When Managing Patients With Mental Health Conditions

Effects of a period without mandatory physical training on maximum oxygen uptake and anthropometric parameters in naval cadets

To Investigate Musculoskeletal Status and Mental State of Female Recruits During Training

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