Aetiology and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders in physically active conscripts: a follow-up study in the Finnish Defence Forces

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Research Article

Olli Ohrankämmen¹  Harri Pihlajamäki²  Ville M Mattila³  Petteri Vuorinen⁴  Jaana Suni⁵  Henri Taanila⁶  Jari Parkkari⁷ 

[1] General Headquarters of Finnish Defence Forces, Helsinki, Finland;Research Department, Centre for Military Medicine, Lahti and Helsinki, Finland;Research Department, Centre for Military Medicine, Lahti and Helsinki, Finland;Research Unit of Pirkanmaa Hospital District and Department of Trauma, Musculoskeletal Surgery and Rehabilitation, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland;Staff Department, Pori Brigade, Säkylä, Finland;Tampere Research Centre of Sports Medicine, the UKK Institute, PO Box 30, 33501, Tampere, Finland;Tampere Research Centre of Sports Medicine, the UKK Institute, PO Box 30, 33501, Tampere, Finland;Research Department, Centre for Military Medicine, Lahti and Helsinki, Finland;Research Unit of Pirkanmaa Hospital District and Department of Trauma, Musculoskeletal Surgery and Rehabilitation, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland;Tampere Research Centre of Sports Medicine, the UKK Institute, PO Box 30, 33501, Tampere, Finland;Research Unit of Pirkanmaa Hospital District and Department of Trauma, Musculoskeletal Surgery and Rehabilitation, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland;

关键词: Physical Fitness;    Military Service;    Sport Club;    Overuse Injury;    Military Training;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2474-11-146

 received in 2010-01-14, accepted in 2010-07-05,  发布年份 2010

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundMusculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the main reason for morbidity during military training. MSDs commonly result in functional impairment leading to premature discharge from military service and disabilities requiring long-term rehabilitation. The purpose of the study was to examine associations between various risk factors and MSDs with special attention to the physical fitness of the conscripts.MethodsTwo successive cohorts of 18 to 28-year-old male conscripts (N = 944, median age 19) were followed for six months. MSDs, including overuse and acute injuries, treated at the garrison clinic were identified and analysed. Associations between MSDs and risk factors were examined by multivariate Cox's proportional hazard models.ResultsDuring the six-month follow-up of two successive cohorts there were 1629 MSDs and 2879 health clinic visits due to MSDs in 944 persons. The event-based incidence rate for MSD was 10.5 (95% confidence interval (CI): 10.0-11.1) per 1000 person-days. Most MSDs were in the lower extremities (65%) followed by the back (18%). The strongest baseline factors associated with MSDs were poor result in the combined outcome of a 12-minute running test and back lift test (hazard ratio (HR) 2.9; 95% CI: 1.9-4.6), high waist circumference (HR 1.7; 95% CI: 1.3-2.2), high body mass index (HR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.3-2.4), poor result in a 12-minute running test (HR 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2-2.2), earlier musculoskeletal symptoms (HR 1.7; 95% CI: 1.3-2.1) and poor school success (educational level and grades combined; HR 2.0; 95% CI: 1.3-3.0). In addition, risk factors of long-term MSDs (≥10 service days lost due to one or several MSDs) were analysed: poor result in a 12-minute running test, earlier musculoskeletal symptoms, high waist circumference, high body mass index, not belonging to a sports club and poor result in the combined outcome of the 12-minute running test and standing long jump test were strongly associated with long-term MSDs.ConclusionsThe majority of the observed risk factors are modifiable and favourable for future interventions. An appropriate intervention based on the present study would improve both aerobic and muscular fitness prior to conscript training. Attention to appropriate waist circumference and body mass index would strengthen the intervention. Effective results from well-planned randomised controlled studies are needed before initiating large-scale prevention programmes in a military environment.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Taanila et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2010