Soldier occupational load carriage: a narrative review of associated injuries

This narrative review examines injuries sustained by soldiers undertaking occupational load carriage tasks. Military soldiers are required to carry increasingly heavier occupational loads. These loads have been found to increase the physiological cost to the soldier and alter their gait mechanics. A...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of injury control and safety promotion 2014-10, Vol.21 (4), p.388-396
Main Authors: Orr, Robin Marc, Pope, Rodney, Johnston, Venerina, Coyle, Julia
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Back Injuries - epidemiology
Back Injuries - etiology
Biological and medical sciences
Fractures, Stress - epidemiology
Fractures, Stress - etiology
Humans
injury
injury prevention
Leg Injuries - epidemiology
Leg Injuries - etiology
load carriage
Medical sciences
military
Military Personnel - statistics & numerical data
Miscellaneous
Occupational medicine
Prevention and actions
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Shoulder Injuries
Weight-Bearing - physiology
Wounds and Injuries - epidemiology
Wounds and Injuries - etiology
Wounds and Injuries - prevention & control
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Summary:This narrative review examines injuries sustained by soldiers undertaking occupational load carriage tasks. Military soldiers are required to carry increasingly heavier occupational loads. These loads have been found to increase the physiological cost to the soldier and alter their gait mechanics. Aggregated research findings suggest that the lower limbs are the most frequent anatomical site of injury associated with load carriage. While foot blisters are common, other prevalent lower limb injuries include stress fractures, knee and foot pain, and neuropathies, like digitalgia and meralgia. Shoulder neuropathies (brachial plexus palsy) and lower back injuries are not uncommon. Soldier occupational load carriage has the potential to cause injuries that impact on force generation and force sustainment. Through understanding the nature of these injuries targeted interventions, like improved physical conditioning and support to specialised organisations, can be employed.
ISSN:1745-7300
1745-7319
DOI:10.1080/17457300.2013.833944