Joseph J. Knapik

Psychological and Behavioral Benefits of a Stress/Type A Behavior Reduction Program for Healthy Middle-Aged Army Officers

Twenty army officers who participated in a stress/type A behavior reduction program and a comparison group of 17 officer nonparticipants volunteered to undergo a battery of psychological and behavioral tests before and after the program. Following the program, participants displayed a significantly greater reduction in average daily caloric intake and levels of perceived stress, anxiety, hostility, depression, psychological distress, and type A behavior as compared to the officers who did not participate in it. Given the fact that most of these psychological and behavioral factors have been found in previous studies to be related to an increased risk for coronary artery disease, it seems that the changes reported by the participants in the program are potentially healthful.

Load Carriage-Related Injury Mechanisms, Risk Factors, and Prevention

Since the beginning of recorded history, soldiers have been required to carry arms and equipment on their bodies. Recently, the weight of these loads has substantially increased due to improvements in weapons and personal protection. As soldier loads increase there are increases in energy cost, altered gait mechanics, increased stress on the musculoskeletal system, and more rapid fatigue, factors that may increase the risk of injury. Passive surveillance of injuries experienced by soldiers on load carriage missions and surveys of hikers and backpackers indicate that foot blisters, stress fractures, compression-related paresthesias (brachial plexus palsy, meralgia paresthetica, digitalgia paresthetica), metatarsalgia, knee problems, and back problems are among the most common load carriage-related maladies. This article discussed these injuries providing incidences, rates, symptoms, mechanisms, and risk factors, and provides evidence-based preventative measures to reduce injury risk. In general, lighter loads, improving load distribution, using appropriate physical training, selecting proper equipment, and using specific techniques directed at injury prevention will facilitate load carriage. An understanding of injury mechanisms and implementation of appropriate prevention strategies will provide service members a higher probability of mission success.

Lifting Ability of Army Men and Women in Relation to Occupational Demands

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the lifting strength of soldiers entering the Army and the physical demands of their job. The muscle strength and body composition of 169 male and 153 female recruits were measured prior to basic training. Each soldiers lifting capacity was compared to the lifting standards of their assigned job. Nearly all soldiers were able to meet the standard for frequent lifting; however, 56% and 77% of women could not meet the standard for occasional lifting in the heavy (45.4 kg) and very heavy (>45.4 kg) physical demand category, respectively.