Prevention of Injuries and Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Defence Forces

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an exercise-based injury-prevention program on the incidence of musculoskeletal injury, motor performance and psychosocial status. 36 Estonian Military Academy cadets were randomly assigned into either an intervention or control group. The intervention group followed a neuromuscular exercise-based injury-prevention warm-up program, 3 times per week for 6 months. The control group continued with the usual warm-up. The main outcome measure was injury incidence during the study period. Additionally, evaluation of isokinetic lower-extremity strength, postural sway, physical fitness and psychosocial status was included pre- and post-intervention.

Inclusion criteria:Age 18-30 yearsHealthy volunteerExclusion criteria:Current injuries causing limited duty daysCurrent injuries causing inability to participate in the proposed injury-prevention program.