MILITARY LOAD CARRIAGE INJURIES AND DISCOMFORT: A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY

摘要

Injuries are recognised as the leading health problem for the military services. However, research into the effect of load carriage on injury rates and discomfort seems to be lacking in the published literature. Work conducted for this study distributed a questionnaire to 90 students at a defence 6th form college. The questionnaire collected injury and discomfort data from students with particular focus on two weeks of military style exercises conducted prior to completing the questionnaire. Results from the study showed that the lower back was rated as the most uncomfortable region of the body following a typical period of load carriage, with the shoulders second. Approximately 20% of participants reported at least one injury, with the lower back accounting for 53% of the injuries sustained. In addition persistent discomfort was experienced by 57% of participants, with the lower back accounting for just under half of these.