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| Physical Training Interventions to Enhance Military Task Performance & Reduce Musculoskeletal Injuries |
Army Science and Technology Objective: IV.ME.2003.05
Problem
Over half of the Army’s tasks require moderate-to-heavy physical strength, yet there is no standardized approach to safely achieve and maintain optimal physical task performance. Injuries continue to impact soldier readiness, at an estimated cost to the Army of over $100M per year. Musculoskeletal complaints account for a large percent of soldier outpatient visits, and injury rates resulting from Basic Combat Training range from 23 to 67%. The risk of both training- and occupationally-related injuries may be increased by inadequate strength/fitness, over-training, or poor biomechanics, but few causality data are available.
Medical Research Solution
Use laboratory and field studies to examine innovative biomechanics- and physiology-based physical training and maintenance strategies to determine whether the highest possible level of physical readiness can be achieved, while minimizing injury rates. Strategies of interest include rapid physical training methods for soldiers deployed on short notice, including new recruits and reserve soldiers, with emphasis on load carriage and lifting capabilities; training alternatives to high running volume and other interventions for improving aerobic fitness while reducing over-training injuries; and unit-structured resistance training for enhancing military performance and reducing overall injury rates.
Products
- Physical readiness assessment tools, including metabolic indicators of bone and muscle turnover, to assess training status and injury risk.
- Physical training methods for soldiers deployed on short notice, including new recruits and reserve soldiers, with emphasis on load carriage and lifting capabilities.
- Training alternatives to high running volume and other interventions for improving aerobic fitness while reducing over-training injuries.
- Guidelines for unit-structured resistance training to enhance military performance and reduce overall injury rates.
- Validated method for assessing levels of physiological strain and predicting increased susceptibility to injury during training programs.
Last Update: April 2, 2003