Vehicle Exposure and Spinal Musculature Fatigue in Military Warfighters: A Meta-Analysis

Kollock, Roger O.; Games, Kenneth E.; Wilson, Alan E.; Sefton, JoEllen M.

doi:10.4085/1062-6050-51.9.13

Cited by 12 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 26 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The total number of flying hours reflects the exposure time to a particular occupational environment. Exposure time is related to LBP ( 37 ). Long-term exposure associated with high-load pressure results in muscle contraction and potentially leads to musculoskeletal disorders, especially LBP and neck pain.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and Potential Risk Factors for Occupational Low Back Pain Among Male Military Pilots: A Study Based on Questionnaire and Physical Function Assessment

Yang

Liu

Ling

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives: Low back pain (LBP) has negative implications for the military's combat effectiveness. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of LBP among pilots through a questionnaire and physical function assessments.Methods: Data on the demographic and occupational characteristics, health habits, physical activity, and musculoskeletal injuries of 217 male pilots (114 fighter, 48 helicopter, and 55 transport pilots) were collected using a self-reported questionnaire and physical function assessments.Results: LBP prevalence was 37.8% in the total cohort and 36.0, 45.8, and 34.5% among fighter, helicopter, and transport pilots, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the risk factors significantly associated with LBP were neck pain [odds ratio (OR): 3.559, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.827–6.934], transversus abdominis activation (OR: 0.346, 95% CI: 0.172–0.698), and hip external rotator strength (OR: 0.001, 95% CI: 0.000–0.563) in the total cohort; neck pain (OR: 3.586, 95% CI: 1.365–9.418), transversus abdominis activation (OR: 0.268, 95% CI: 0.094–0.765), hip external rotator strength (OR: 0.000, 95% CI: 0.000–0.949), and weekly flying hours (OR: 3.889, 95% CI: 1.490–10.149) in fighter pilots; irregular strength training (OR: 0.036, 95% CI: 0.003–0.507) and hip external rotator strength (OR: 0.000, 95% CI: 0.000–0.042) in helicopter pilots; and neck pain (OR: 6.417, 95% CI: 1.424–28.909) in transport pilots.Conclusions: High volume flight schedules and weak core muscle functions have significant negative effects on pilots' back health. LBP is commonly associated with high weekly flying hours, worsening neck pain, transversus abdominis insufficient activation, and reduced hip extensor/rotator strength. Risk factors vary among pilots of different aircraft. Thus, specific core muscle training would be especially important for military pilots.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and Potential Risk Factors for Occupational Low Back Pain Among Male Military Pilots: A Study Based on Questionnaire and Physical Function Assessment

Yang

Liu

Ling

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Secondary prevention considers knowing of therapeutic principles. Certainly, the removal of risk factors has the biggest importance and in that sense education of people for implementing certain safeguards while preforming daily activities is necessary (11,12,13). Considering that a lot of factors contribute to occurrence of lumbar pain syndrome at work it's important to implement appropriate ergonomic measures that match work requirements with the physical capacity of the person.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lumbar-load analysis of a soldier while carrying the heavy loads

Burak

Veljović²,

Begić³

et al. 2019

PEN

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: The aim of the article was to create an appropriate computer model based on the real status of the mortar operator's workplace and to analyze the workplace. After that, for any possible exceedances from the aspect of the organism's load and safety, the aim is to redesign the workplace and bring it within the limits of the permissible load, and therefore the required safety. The aim is also to identify the characteristic work movements performed by the soldier and to carry out an ergonomic analysis of the soldier's efforts and to propose appropriate improvements. Methods: The analysis is performed on a total of 20 soldiers, from which is determined an average model of the following characteristics: 180 cm in height and 85 kg in weight. The task is to take a mine from the shell containing the mines, then transfer it to the mortar and fill the mortar barrel. The weight of the 120 mm mortar grenade is 14.8 kg. The average soldier is 26 years old and his military exercise lasts 4 hours. The CATIA software package (Dassault Systèmes, Vélizy-Villacoublay, France) is used for analysis. By knowing the anthropometric and work environment data, with ergonomic design and analysis, the following analyses were made: biomechanical analysis, rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) and carry analysis (option from CATIA software). Results: The proposed modification of the position resulted in a decrease in the L4/L5 torque from 316 Nm to 154 Nm along with decreasing of the compression force on the L4/ L5 from 5,779 N to 3038 N (the compression force allowed is 3,400 N), and while the RULA analysis is from the red color position 1 (score 7; maximum load requiring rapid repositioning of such position), revised final score 4 made in yellow (a solution acceptable for this work place). Conclusions: By ergonomic analysis, obtained proposal will lead to less chance of injury, prevention of burn out syndrome, fewer chances of illness, decreasing the fatigue, greater safety, less energy spent and better preparedness for all necessary tasks.

show abstract

“…The maximum pressure exerted at the L4/L5 pressure point may be 3.4 [kN]. In the United Kingdom, the prevalence of pain in the lumbar spine of eleven year olds is 12%, while as many as 50% at the age of fifteen (10,11). More than 20,000 injuries caused by heavy bags were treated in clinics across the United States in 2003 (12).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of school backpacks on spinal column load in primary school students

Burak

GEVREK²,

Voloder³

et al. 2019

PEN

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: The problem of heavy school bags is a global problem recognized in many countries in Europe and the world, including in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition to poor posture habits, "sedentary lifestyles" and insufficient physical activity, school bags is one of the main causes of low back pain and deformity in pupils. The recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO) is that the weight of the school bag should not exceed 10% of the student's weight. However, in practice these limitations are far from reality with the obvious problems caused by too heavy bags. The aim of the paper is to identify and analyze the backbone load caused by the overweight school backpacks in real school work conditions and eliminate them by creating new solutions that are in line with ergonomic and biomechanical principles, as well as the recommendation given by WHO. Methods: The research included first grade primary school students at the age of seven, including their parents. The research began by interviewing parents with relevant questions, as well as measuring the students' height and weight and the weight of their school backpacks. The analysis was performed in CATIA v5 software package (Dassault Systèmes, Vélizy-Villacoublay, France) using its advanced biomechanical modules. By knowing the anthropometric and work environment data with ergonomic design and analysis, the biomechanical analysis, rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) and carry analysis were performed. Results: The conducted survey showed that 84% of students walk from home to school nineteen minutes on average and that 77% of them carry their school backpacks independently. Based on the measurements, it has been shown that, on average, the weight of the school backpacks is well above the WHO recommendation. A study conducted on a representative sample of students confirmed the relation between fatigue and spinal pain caused by carrying a heavy school bag. Computer analysis showed excessive loads on the spinal segment of L4/L5 that were outside the normal range of 3,400 N. Conclusions: A simulated computer analysis using RULA and biomechanical analysis with calculations of maximum loads in the lumbar segment of students found that school backpacks carried by students were too heavy for their age and well beyond the normal limits and WHO recommendations. The analysis showed that it is necessary to reduce the weight of the bag by about 30%.

show abstract

Vehicle Exposure and Spinal Musculature Fatigue in Military Warfighters: A Meta-Analysis

Cited by 12 publications

References 26 publications

Prevalence and Potential Risk Factors for Occupational Low Back Pain Among Male Military Pilots: A Study Based on Questionnaire and Physical Function Assessment

Prevalence and Potential Risk Factors for Occupational Low Back Pain Among Male Military Pilots: A Study Based on Questionnaire and Physical Function Assessment

Lumbar-load analysis of a soldier while carrying the heavy loads

Influence of school backpacks on spinal column load in primary school students

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About