Minimal additional weight of combat equipment alters air assault soldiers' landing biomechanics.
The additional weight of combat and protective equipment carried by soldiers on the battlefield and insufficient adaptations to this weight may increase the risk of musculoskeletal injury. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the additional weight of equipment on knee kinematics and vertical ground reaction forces (VGRF) during two-legged drop landings. We tested kinematics and VGRF of 70 air assault soldiers performing drop landings with and without wearing the equipment. Maximum knee flexion angles, maximum vertical ground reaction forces, and the time from initial contact to these maximum values all increased with the additional weight of equipment. Proper landing technique, additional weight (perhaps in the form of combat and protective equipment), and eccentric strengthening of the hips and knees should be integrated into soldiers' training to induce musculoskeletal and biomechanical adaptations to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury during two-legged drop landing maneuvers.
Duke Scholars
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DOI
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Related Subject Headings
- Weight-Bearing
- Strategic, Defence & Security Studies
- Protective Clothing
- Military Personnel
- Middle Aged
- Male
- Knee Joint
- Knee Injuries
- Humans
- Equipment and Supplies
Citation
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Weight-Bearing
- Strategic, Defence & Security Studies
- Protective Clothing
- Military Personnel
- Middle Aged
- Male
- Knee Joint
- Knee Injuries
- Humans
- Equipment and Supplies