Impact of acute exercise on performance and physiological stress during simulated firefighter occupational tasks.

We aimed to determine how a bout of resistance or aerobic exercise impacts physiological responses and performance during firefighting occupational tasks. Thirty-two non-firefighters completed two baseline assessments and three trials: resistance exercise (RE), aerobic exercise (AE), or a rested control (CON). Trials were followed by an occupational task assessment (OTA; four rounds of 10 deadlifts (38.

Virtual Assessment of Functional Mobility in Lower Extremity Prosthesis Clients: An Exploratory Study.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between patient perception of lower extremity function and a home-based virtual clinician assessment of mobility in lower limb prosthesis clients.

Design: Descriptive observational study using a clinician-administered functional mobility survey and timed Up and Go test to assess lower extremity function under supervision.

Setting: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant online virtual platform.

Validity of heart rate derived core temperature estimation during simulated firefighting tasks.

Rectal core temperature monitoring can help fire services mitigate heat injury but can be invasive and impractical. EQ02 + LifeMonitor provides a non-invasive estimation of core temperature. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to determine the validity of the EQ02 + LifeMonitor compared to the gold standard rectal thermometer core temperature assessment, as well as the potential influence of turnout gear on the estimated and physiological strain experienced during these activities.

Anthropometrics Impact Army Combat Fitness Test Performance in Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets.

Introduction: Fitness is a vital component in military success. The Army is in the process of implementing a new assessment for soldier fitness, the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT). Success on the assessment is a major factor in job assignments and promotional opportunities.

Whey Protein Supplementation Effects on Body Composition, Performance, and Blood Biomarkers During Army Initial Entry Training.

This study assesses if a lower dose of whey protein can provide similar benefits to those shown in previous work supplementing Army Initial Entry Training (IET) Soldiers with two servings of whey protein (WP) per day. Eighty-one soldiers consumed one WP or a calorie matched carbohydrate (CHO) serving/day during IET (WP: = 39, height = 173 ± 8 cm, body mass = 76.8 ± 12.

Core and Whole-Body Vibration Exercise Improve Military Foot March Performance in Novice Trainees: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: The purpose of the present study was to investigate core exercise training and whole-body vibration (WBV) as a training method to improve performance and recovery from an 8-km military foot march in novice trainees.

Materials And Methods: A 3 × 5 repeated measures randomized control trial was used to evaluate the effects of core exercise training and WBV on performance and recovery from an 8-km foot march. Thirty-nine participants were randomized into three groups: core exercise (Ex), WBV with core exercise (WBVEx), and control.

Core and Whole Body Vibration Exercise Influences Muscle Sensitivity and Posture during a Military Foot March.

Military foot marches account for 17-22% of Army musculoskeletal injuries (MSI), with low back pain (LBP) being a common complaint. Core-exercise and whole-body vibration (WBV) have been shown to decrease LBP in patients with chronic low back MSI. This study investigated if WBV and/or core-exercise influenced LBP or posture associated with a military ruck march.

Musculoskeletal Injury in Reserve Officers' Training Corps: A Report From the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network.

Background: Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadets must meet the same physical standards as active duty military servicemembers and undergo organized physical training (PT). ROTC participation, like all physical activity, can result in training-related musculoskeletal injury (MSKI), and of course, cadets could sustain MSKI outside of ROTC. However, MSKI incidence in ROTC programs is largely unknown.

Markers of Bone Health and Impact of Whey Protein Supplementation in Army Initial Entry Training Soldiers: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study.

Training civilians to be soldiers is a challenging task often resulting in musculoskeletal injuries, especially bone stress injuries. This study evaluated bone health biomarkers (P1NP/CTX) and whey protein or carbohydrate supplementations before and after Army initial entry training (IET). Ninety male IET soldiers participated in this placebo-controlled, double-blind study assessing carbohydrate and whey protein supplementations.

Functional Performance of Firefighters After Exposure to Environmental Conditions and Exercise.

Context: Slips, trips, and falls are leading causes of musculoskeletal injuries in firefighters. Researchers have hypothesized that heat stress is the major contributing factor to these fireground injuries.

Objective: To examine the effect of environmental conditions, including hot and ambient temperatures, and exercise on functional and physiological outcome measures, including balance, rectal temperature, and perceived exertion.

Impact of Protein and Carbohydrate Supplementation on Musculoskeletal Injuries in Army Initial Entry Training Soldiers.

This project investigated whey protein and/or carbohydrate supplementation effects on musculoskeletal injury (MSI) outcomes. Four groups of Initial Entry Training soldiers consumed either: (1) one protein (38.6 g, 293 kcal); (2) one carbohydrate (63.

Effect of Whey Protein Supplementation on Physical Performance and Body Composition in Army Initial Entry Training Soldiers.

We investigated the effects of whey protein (WP) supplementation on body composition and physical performance in soldiers participating in Army Initial Entry Training (IET). Sixty-nine, male United States Army soldiers volunteered for supplementation with either twice daily whey protein (WP, 77 g/day protein, ~580 kcal/day; = 34, age = 19 ± 1 year, height = 173 ± 6 cm, weight = 73.4 ± 12.

Local Pressure Application Effects on Neurological and Circulatory Function.

Background: Pain and discomfort reported during sitting is a significant problem for aviators during prolonged missions. Previous work has determined that areas of local pressure exist during prolonged sitting in UH-60 seat systems; however, no work has examined the effects of this local pressure on measures of neurological and circulatory function.

Methods: A total of 30 healthy subjects completed the study in which focal pressure was applied in three conditions (no pressure, pressure to the ischial tuberosity, and pressure to the posterior thigh).

Neck Kinematics and Electromyography While Wearing Head Supported Mass During Running.

Background: Advanced combat helmets (ACH) coupled with night-vision goggles (NVG) are required for tactical athletes during training and service. Head and neck injuries due to head supported mass (HSM) are a common occurrence in military personnel. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of HSM on neck muscle fatigue that may lead to chronic stress and injury of the head and neck.

The Effect of Military Load Carriage on Postural Sway, Forward Trunk Lean, and Pelvic Girdle Motion.

Musculoskeletal injuries are a common occurrence in military service members. It is believed that the load carried by the service member impedes stability and alters back and pelvis kinematics, increasing their susceptibility to musculoskeletal injuries, specifically in the lower extremities. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two different loads on postural sway, forward trunk lean, and pelvic girdle motion in United States Army Cadets.

Vehicle Exposure and Spinal Musculature Fatigue in Military Warfighters: A Meta-Analysis.

Context:  Spinal musculature fatigue from vehicle exposure may place warfighters at risk for spinal injuries and pain. Research on the relationship between vehicle exposure and spinal musculature fatigue is conflicting. A better understanding of the effect of military duty on musculoskeletal function is needed before sports medicine teams can develop injury-prevention programs.

Prediction of Injuries and Injury Types in Army Basic Training, Infantry, Armor, and Cavalry Trainees Using a Common Fitness Screen.

Context:  Musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) are among the most important challenges facing our military. They influence career success and directly affect military readiness. Several methods of screening initial entry training (IET) soldiers are being tested in an effort to predict which soldiers will sustain an MSI and to develop injury-prevention programs.