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Parr JJ, Clark NC, Abt JP, et al. Residual Impact of Previous Injury on Musculoskeletal Characteristics in Special Forces Operators. Orthop J Sports Med. 2015;3(11):2325967115616581doi: 10.1177/2325967115616581.
Parr, J. J., Clark, N. C., Abt, J. P., Kresta, J. Y., Keenan, K. A., Kane, S. F., & Lephart, S. M. (2015). Residual Impact of Previous Injury on Musculoskeletal Characteristics in Special Forces Operators. Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine, 3(11), 2325967115616581. https://doi.org/10.1177/2325967115616581
Parr, Jeffrey J, et al. "Residual Impact of Previous Injury on Musculoskeletal Characteristics in Special Forces Operators." Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine vol. 3,11 (2015): 2325967115616581. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/2325967115616581
Parr JJ, Clark NC, Abt JP, Kresta JY, Keenan KA, Kane SF, Lephart SM. Residual Impact of Previous Injury on Musculoskeletal Characteristics in Special Forces Operators. Orthop J Sports Med. 2015 Nov 13;3(11):2325967115616581. doi: 10.1177/2325967115616581. eCollection 2015 Nov. PMID: 26740952; PMCID: PMC4687836.
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Orthop J Sports Med. 2015 Nov 13;3(11):2325967115616581. doi: 10.1177/2325967115616581. eCollection 2015 Nov.

Residual Impact of Previous Injury on Musculoskeletal Characteristics in Special Forces Operators.

Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine

Jeffrey J Parr, Nicholas C Clark, John P Abt, Julie Y Kresta, Karen A Keenan, Shawn F Kane, Scott M Lephart

Affiliations

  1. Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
  2. School of Sport, Health, and Applied Science, St Mary's University, Strawberry Hill, London, UK.
  3. College of Health Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
  4. Department of Physical Therapy, Methodist University, Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA.
  5. US Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, USA.

PMID: 26740952 PMCID: PMC4687836 DOI: 10.1177/2325967115616581

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal injuries are a significant burden to United States Army Special Operations Forces. The advanced tactical skill level and physical training required of Army Special Operators highlights the need to optimize musculoskeletal characteristics to reduce the likelihood of suffering a recurrent injury.

PURPOSE: To identify the residual impact of previous injury on musculoskeletal characteristics.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS: Isokinetic strength of the knee, shoulder, and back and flexibility of the shoulder and hamstrings were assessed as part of a comprehensive human performance protocol, and self-reported musculoskeletal injury history was obtained. Subjects were stratified based on previous history of low back, knee, or shoulder injury, and within-group and between-group comparisons were made for musculoskeletal variables.

RESULTS: Knee injury analysis showed no significant strength or flexibility differences. Shoulder injury analysis found internal rotation strength of the healthy subjects (H) was significantly higher compared with injured (I) and uninjured (U) limbs of the injured group (H, 60.8 ± 11.5 percent body weight [%BW]; I, 54.5 ± 10.5 %BW; U, 55.5 ± 11.3 %BW) (P = .014 [H vs I] and P = .05 [H vs U]). The external rotation/internal rotation strength ratio was significantly lower in the healthy subjects compared with injured and uninjured limbs of the injured group (H, 0.653 ± 0.122; I, 0.724 ± 0.121; U, 0.724 ± 0.124) (P = .026 [H vs I] and P = .018 [H vs U]). Posterior shoulder tightness was significantly different between the injured and uninjured limb of the injured group (I, 111.6° ± 9.4°; U, 114.4° ± 9.3°; P = .008). The back injury analysis found no significant strength differences between the healthy and injured groups.

CONCLUSION: Few physical differences existed between operators with prior knee or back injury. However, operators with a previous history of shoulder injury demonstrated significantly less shoulder strength than uninjured operators as well as decreased shoulder flexibility on the injured side. All operators, regardless of prior injury, must perform the same tasks; therefore, a targeted injury rehabilitation/human performance training specifically focused on internal rotation strength and tightness of the posterior capsule may help reduce the risk for recurrence of injury. Operators presenting with musculoskeletal asymmetries and/or insufficient strength ratios may be predisposed to musculoskeletal injury.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Specific fitness programs to compensate for deficiencies in strength and flexibility need to be designed that may reduce the risk of injuries in Special Forces Operators.

Keywords: injury prevention; military; muscle injury; performance; residual

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