Associations Between Rank, Sex, and Parity With Musculoskeletal Injuries Sustained During Annual Military Physical Fitness Test

Abstract

Abstract Edwards, CM, da Silva, DF, Puranda, JL, Souza, SCS, Semeniuk, K, and Adamo, KB. Associations between rank, sex, and parity with musculoskeletal injuries sustained during annual military physical fitness test. J Strength Cond Res 38(2): 367–373, 2024—Musculoskeletal injuries pose a significant threat to the well-being of military personnel. Attempts to use physical employment standard test results as predictors of injury are underway, but little is known about injuries sustained during the tests. This study sought to identify body regions most likely to be reported as injured during the annual Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) physical fitness evaluation. In addition, sex, rank, and parity status are explored as possible associated factors for injury. A total of 1,796 actively serving CAF members were categorized by sex (1,030 male participants; 766 female participants), rank (1,142 Non-Commissioned Members [NCM]; 638 Officers), and parity (314 parous female participants; 435 nulliparous female participants). Sex, rank, and parity were associated with body regions reportedly injured during an annual CAF fitness assessment (significance p ≤ 0.05). When compared with male participants, female participants were more likely to be injured {aOR: 1.797 (95% [confidence interval] CI: 1.45–2.23)} and more prone to injury of the wrist (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.933 [95% CI: 1.20–3.12]), hip (aOR: 3.445 [95% CI: 2.07–5.728]), or lower back (aOR: 1.55 [95% CI: 1.18–2.04]). Non-Commissioned Members were more likely to injure the neck (aOR: 2.14 [95% CI: 1.18–3.88]) or shoulder (aOR: 2.03 [95% CI: 1.31–3.15]), when compared with Officers. Parous female participants reported pelvis/abdomen injury at a higher rate than the nulliparous group (5 vs. 1.7%, p = 0.019). Injuries sustained during an annual CAF fitness assessment differ based on sex, rank, and parity. Canadian Armed Forces female participants, NCM, and parous female participants may require specific physical fitness support in preparation for the annual physical fitness test.