Soldier Load Carriage, Injuries, Rehabilitation and Physical Conditioning: An International Approach

Robin Orr, Rodney Pope, Thiago Jambo Alves Lopes, Dieter Leyk, Sam Blacker, Beatriz Sanz Bustillo-Aguirre and Joseph J. Knapik
Additional contact information
Robin Orr: Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Gold Coast 4213, Australia
Rodney Pope: Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Gold Coast 4213, Australia
Thiago Jambo Alves Lopes: Research Laboratory of Exercise Science, Centro de Educação Física Almirante Adalberto Nunes, Brazilian Navy, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
Dieter Leyk: Research Group Epidemiology of Performance, German Sport University Cologne, 50933 Cologne, Germany
Sam Blacker: Occupational Performance Research Group, Institute of Sport, University of Chichester, West Sussex PO19 6PE, UK
Beatriz Sanz Bustillo-Aguirre: Ministry of Defence, Paseo de la Castellana 109, 28046 Madrid, Spain
Joseph J. Knapik: Tactical Research Unit, Bond University, Gold Coast 4213, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-12

Abstract: Soldiers are often required to carry heavy loads that can exceed 45 kg. The physiological costs and biomechanical responses to these loads, whilst varying with the contexts in which they are carried, have led to soldier injuries. These injuries can range from musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., joint/ligamentous injuries and stress fractures) to neurological injuries (e.g., paresthesias), and impact on both the soldier and the army in which they serve. Following treatment to facilitate initial recovery from injuries, soldiers must be progressively reconditioned for load carriage. Optimal conditioning and reconditioning practices include load carriage sessions with a frequency of one session every 10–14 days in conjunction with a program of both resistance and aerobic training. Speed of march and grade and type of terrain covered are factors that can be adjusted to manipulate load carriage intensity, limiting the need to adjust load weight alone. Factors external to the load carriage program, such as other military duties, can also impart physical loading and must be considered as part of any load carriage conditioning/reconditioning program.

Keywords: military; exposure; occupational injury; pack march; reconditioning; return to work; injury risk management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/8/4010/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/8/4010/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:4010-:d:534065

Access Statistics for this article

IJERPH is currently edited by Ms. Jenna Liu

More articles in IJERPH from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().