Surveillance is the first step to preventing injury among fast jet aircrew: results of a 2-year prospective cohort study.

Autor:	Wallace JB; Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia james.wallace@canberra.edu.au.; Ethos Health, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia., Osmotherly PG; School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia., Gabbett TJ; Gabbett Performance Solutions, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.; Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia., Spratford W; Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia., Newman PM; Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Occupational and environmental medicine [Occup Environ Med] 2023 Nov; Vol. 80 (11), pp. 617-625. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Oct 16.
DOI:	10.1136/oemed-2023-108990
Abstrakt:	Objectives: Injury surveillance is imperative for injury prevention but difficult in military populations. Our objective was to accurately describe the pattern of musculoskeletal complaints among Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) fast jet aircrew (FJA) using the validated University of Canberra Fast Jet Aircrew Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (UC-FJAMQ) over a 2-year period, and determine injury burden on the workforce and operational capability. Methods: 306 RAAF FJA were monitored over a 2-year period (4×5 month reporting periods). Musculoskeletal complaint episodes (MCEs) were captured weekly using the UC-FJAMQ. Time loss episodes (TLEs) were captured from the UC-FJAMQ and injury registers completed by embedded physiotherapists. Cumulative severity and operational impact scores from the UC-FJAMQ, and time loss duration, were used to describe severity and calculate burden. Results: Mean weekly UC-FJAMQ response rate was 62%. 1012 MCEs were captured, with a mean weekly prevalence of 14.9% (95% CI 14.2-15.6), and incidence of 4.1 episodes per person-year (95% CI 3.9-4.4). A total of 145 TLEs were captured, with a mean 5-month prevalence of 12.4% (range 8.9-15.3%), and incidence of 0.37 episodes per person-year (95% CI 0.31-0.43). Spinal regions accounted for 81% of MCEs and contributed 76% and 85% of burden in relation to cumulative severity and operational impact, respectively. 57% of TLE burden came from spinal regions. Conclusions: Despite modest weekly UC-FJAMQ response rates, musculoskeletal complaints were shown to be widespread and negatively impact operational capability. Future injury prevention efforts among FJA should focus on spinal regions, particularly the neck. Competing Interests: Competing interests: At the time this study was conducted, JBW provided consultancy and evaluation services to a RAAF Institute of Aviation Medicine and Air Combat Group programme which functioned to address the risk of neck and back injury among FJA. TJG works as a consultant to several high-performance organisations, including military institutions. (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
Externí odkaz:	Zobrazit plný text záznamu