Page 107 - JSOM Spring 2025
P. 107
TABLE 3 Cont.
Authors (year) Injury definition Study demographics Main findings
Hayhurst et al. Injury location:
(2022) 46 • LE, 40%
(continued) • Trunk, 36%
• UE, 24%
Injury sublocation:
• Lumbar spine, 19%
• Shoulder, 17%
• Knee, 14%
• Cervical injuries, 11%
New injuries, 62%
Recurring injuries, 38%
Lovalekar MSK injury defined as an Country: U.S.A. SWCC
et al. (2023) 43 injury to the musculoskeletal Year(s): 1 year period, no specific time Anatomic sublocation:
system (bones, ligaments, • Lower extremity
muscles, tendons, etc.) that, 142 SWCC Operators ο Knee, 11 (28.9%)
if occurring after enlistment, All male ο Ankle, 3 (7.9%)
resulted in alteration of Age: 26.9±5.9 years ο Thigh, 3 (7.9%)
tactical activities, tactical Height: 180±0.1cm ο Lower leg, 2 (5.3%)
training, or physical training Weight: 85.6±9.5kg • Upper extremity
for a minimum of one ο Shoulder, 8 (21.1%)
day, regardless of medical 187 CQT Students ο Hand and fingers, 2 (5.3%)
attention sought. All male ο Upper arm, 1 (2.6%)
Age: 22.8±3.2
Height: 180±0.2cm • Spine
Weight 81.8±8.3kg ο Lumbopelvic, 5 (13.2%)
• Head/Face
• Other, 2 (5.3%)
• Torso
ο Chest, 1 (2.6%)
Cause:
• Lifting, 9 (23.7%)
• Running, 6 (15.8%)
• Direct trauma, 5 (13.2%)
• Fall, 3 (7.9%)
• Unknown, 3 (7.9%)
CQT Students
• Anatomic Sub-location
• Lower extremity
ο Hip, 3 (3.1%)
ο Knee, 15 (15.3%)
ο Ankle, 11 (11.2%)
ο Thigh, 9 (9.2%)
ο Lower leg, 20 (20.4%)
ο Foot and toes, 7 (7.1%)
• Upper extremity
ο Shoulder, 16 (16.3%)
ο Wrist, 2 (2.0%)
ο Upper arm, 1 (1.0%)
ο Hand and fingers, 5 (5.1%)
ο Spine
ο Cervical, 2 (2.0%)
ο Lumbopelvic, 7 (7.1%)
Cause:
• Running, 54 (55.1%)
• Other, 13 (13.3%)
• Lifting, 8 (8.2%)
• Direct trauma, 5 (5.1%)
• Fall, 4 (4.1%)
ADF = Australian Defense Force; AFSOC = Air Force Special Operations Command; CQT = Crewman Qualification Training; EWH = elbow
wrist hand; FA = foot and ankle; GIGN = Groupe d’intervention de la gendarmerie nationale; HT = hip and thigh; LE = lower extremities;
MARSOC = Marine Special Operations Command; MSK = musculoskeletal; NSW = Naval Special Warfare; RAR = Royal Australian Regiment;
SEAL = Sea Air Land; SOF = Special Operations Forces; SOW = Special Operations Wing; SFG = Special Forces Group; SQT = Seal Qualification
Training; SWCC = Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman; UBHN = upper back head and neck; UE = upper extremities; USASOC = United
States Army Special Operations Command.
Musculoskeletal Injuries in Special Operations Forces | 105

