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and knee. Interestingly, only some GD LEO research has re- injury profile for this population, the current review can be used
ported anatomical sub-sites of injury, with the most common to inform medical personnel and those involved in the physical
in these studies being wrist/hand and shoulder, 18,21,23 suggesting preparation of these populations as to what the expected inju-
some similarities to the findings here for specialist police offi- ries could be and what areas to focus on to reduce or mitigate
cers. Similar to in specialist policing, Military SF anatomical/ these injuries. The current research scarcity highlights the need
sub-anatomical locations of injury seem to vary depending on for further work in this area as well as the potential for organi-
the unit investigated (e.g., U.S. Navy SEALs have a different zational change in how these injuries are reported and the level
profile of injuries to U.S. Army SF and U.S. Airforce SF), sug- of detail recorded. Such research could guide medical staff and
gesting that injury profiles may vary based on the differing job researchers and even drive policy changes.
requirements for each unit. 38,39,41
Author Contributions
21
The single study included in this review that detailed mech- KL, RO, RP, BS, and KK conceived the review topic. KL de-
anisms of injury reported non-compliant offenders, routine veloped the search terms and drafted the manuscript. RO, RP,
duties, and training (operational) to be the most common BS, and KK supervised the project. All authors reviewed and
mechanisms of injury. These mechanisms bear similarities to approved the final manuscript.
those reportedly experienced by GD LEOs, being non-compli-
ant offenders / assault along with operational training as the Disclosures
most common. 1,3,21–26 Furthermore, these findings for specialist The authors have indicated they have no financial relation-
police have some similarities and differences to those of Mil- ships relevant to this article to disclose.
itary SF units, where the mechanism of injury across various
SF units 38,39,41 was most often physical training or tactical/op- References
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21
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