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International Journal of Environmental... Dec 2020A necessarily high standard for physical readiness in tactical environments is often accompanied by high incidences of injury due to overaccumulations of neuromuscular... (Review)
Review
A necessarily high standard for physical readiness in tactical environments is often accompanied by high incidences of injury due to overaccumulations of neuromuscular fatigue (NMF). To account for instances of overtraining stimulated by NMF, close monitoring of neuromuscular performance is warranted. Previously validated tests, such as the countermovement jump, are useful means for monitoring performance adaptations, resiliency to fatigue, and risk for injury. Performing such tests on force plates provides an understanding of the movement strategy used to obtain the resulting outcome (e.g., jump height). Further, force plates afford numerous objective tests that are valid and reliable for monitoring upper and lower extremity muscular strength and power (thus sensitive to NMF) with less fatiguing and safer methods than traditional one-repetition maximum assessments. Force plates provide numerous software and testing application options that can be applied to military's training but, to be effective, requires the practitioners to have sufficient knowledge of their functions. Therefore, this review aims to explain the functions of force plate testing as well as current best practices for utilizing force plates in military settings and disseminate protocols for valid and reliable testing to collect key variables that translate to physical performance capacities.
Topics: Exercise Test; Humans; Lower Extremity; Military Personnel; Movement; Muscle Strength
PubMed: 33297554
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17239147 -
Tobacco Control Dec 2020
Topics: Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Humans; Military Personnel; Vaping; Veterans
PubMed: 32398271
DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2019-055377 -
Chinese Journal of Traumatology =... Jul 2022Military training is intense, difficult and often dangerous, so all kinds of injuries or diseases frequently occur during training. Most of the previous studies and... (Review)
Review
Military training is intense, difficult and often dangerous, so all kinds of injuries or diseases frequently occur during training. Most of the previous studies and reviews on military training-related injuries focused on musculoskeletal system, whereas there are no reviews of abdominal injuries and diseases. Although the incidence of military training-related abdominal injuries and diseases is relatively low, the patients' condition is often critical especially in the presence of abdominal organ injury, leading to multi-organ dysfunction syndrome and even death. This paper elaborates on common types of military training-related abdominal injuries and diseases as well as the prevention and treatment measures, which provides some basis for scientific and reasonable training and improvement of medical security.
Topics: Abdominal Injuries; Humans; Incidence; Military Personnel; Musculoskeletal System; Wounds and Injuries
PubMed: 35331607
DOI: 10.1016/j.cjtee.2022.03.002 -
Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology... 2020
Topics: Cell Transdifferentiation; Humans; Leadership; MicroRNAs; Military Personnel
PubMed: 31605672
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2019.09.005 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2021Military personnel are frequently exposed to environmental pollutants that can cause a variety of diseases. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Military personnel are frequently exposed to environmental pollutants that can cause a variety of diseases.
METHODS
This review analyzed publications regarding epidemiological and biomonitoring studies on occupationally-exposed military personnel.
RESULTS
The exposures include sulfur mustard, organ chlorines, combustion products, fuel vapors, and ionizing and exciting radiations. Important factors to be considered are the lengths and intensities of exposures, its proximity to the sources of environmental pollutants, as well as confounding factors (cigarette smoke, diet, photo-type, healthy warrior effect, etc.). Assessment of environmental and individual exposures to pollutants is crucial, although often omitted, because soldiers have often been evaluated based on reported health problems rather than on excessive exposure to pollutants. Biomarkers of exposures and effects are tools to explore relationships between exposures and diseases in military personnel. Another observation from this review is a major problem from the lack of suitable control groups.
CONCLUSIONS
This review indicates that only studies which analyzed epidemiological and molecular biomarkers in both exposed and control groups would provide evidence-based conclusions on exposure and disease risk in military personnel.
Topics: Environmental Exposure; Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants; Humans; Military Personnel; Occupational Exposure; Smoke
PubMed: 34070145
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105395 -
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports Dec 2022Adverse occupational and environmental exposures are common causes of respiratory disease and health consequences requiring medical care. Understanding how these various... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Adverse occupational and environmental exposures are common causes of respiratory disease and health consequences requiring medical care. Understanding how these various exposures affect patients and how to elicit an adequate history is critical for any clinician. Military personnel are often overlooked when discussing groups at risk for environmental exposure-associated airway disease. There are close to 20 million active duty and veterans in the USA, and nearly all clinicians will at some point care for a patient that has served in the military.
RECENT FINDINGS
Exposures related to military work include burn pits, chemicals/toxins, sandstorms, and living conditions. Burn pits and military waste are increasingly recognized as potential hazards attributed to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The link between these various military exposures and acute or chronic airway diseases remains difficult. Epidemiological studies are emerging to demonstrate correlations with chronic lung disease and prolonged burn pit exposure. This review provides an overview of potential occupational and environmental exposures that may affect current and/or former military service men and women.
Topics: Humans; Military Personnel; Occupational Exposure; Veterans
PubMed: 36370335
DOI: 10.1007/s11882-022-01051-0 -
European Journal of Sport Science Jan 2022The importance of diet and nutrition to military readiness and performance has been recognized for centuries as dietary nutrients sustain health, protect against... (Review)
Review
The importance of diet and nutrition to military readiness and performance has been recognized for centuries as dietary nutrients sustain health, protect against illness, and promote resilience, performance and recovery. Contemporary military nutrition research is increasingly inter-disciplinary with emphasis often placed on the broad topics of (1) determining operational nutrition requirements in all environments, (2) characterizing nutritional practices of military personnel relative to the required (role/environment) standards, and (3) developing strategies for improving nutrient delivery and individual choices. This review discusses contemporary issues shared internationally by military nutrition research programmes, and highlights emerging topics likely to influence future military nutrition research and policy. Contemporary issues include improving the diet quality of military personnel, optimizing operational rations, and increasing understanding of biological factors influencing nutrient requirements. Emerging areas include the burgeoning field of precision nutrition and its technological enablers.
Topics: Diet; Humans; Military Personnel; Nutrients; Nutritional Requirements; Nutritional Status
PubMed: 33980120
DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2021.1930192 -
Methodist DeBakey Cardiovascular Journal 2022This issue's Poet's Pen is an experiential work submitted by Captain Justin C. Cordova, MD, from the Department of Anesthesiology at Walter Reed National Military...
This issue's Poet's Pen is an experiential work submitted by Captain Justin C. Cordova, MD, from the Department of Anesthesiology at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The submission was a response to an invitation for our readers to submit poems for consideration of publication. Captain Cordova's work, "Against Medical Advice," is an engaging and provocative poem that focuses on a disturbing healthcare provider challenge-attempting to deliver "best care" to patients who, for countless reasons, choose a pathway we label as noncompliance or against medical advice.
Topics: Humans; Maryland; Military Personnel
PubMed: 36561090
DOI: 10.14797/mdcvj.1166 -
Military Medicine Dec 2021Genetic counseling for military beneficiaries poses unique challenges and counseling opportunities. In order to fully meet the needs of this population, genetic... (Review)
Review
Genetic counseling for military beneficiaries poses unique challenges and counseling opportunities. In order to fully meet the needs of this population, genetic counseling involves critical ethical and psychosocial considerations. This article reviews some elements of genetic counseling that must be considered when working with beneficiaries in the military health system.
Topics: Counseling; Genetic Counseling; Humans; Military Personnel
PubMed: 34967403
DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usab007 -
Annals of Surgery Nov 2021Numerous surgical advances have resulted from exchanges between military and civilian surgeons. As part of the U.S. National Library of Medicine Michael E. DeBakey... (Review)
Review
Numerous surgical advances have resulted from exchanges between military and civilian surgeons. As part of the U.S. National Library of Medicine Michael E. DeBakey Fellowship in the History of Medicine, we conducted archival research to shed light on the lessons that civilian surgery has learned from the military system and vice-versa. Several historical case studies highlight the need for immersive programs where surgeons from the military and civilian sectors can gain exposure to the techniques, expertise, and institutional knowledge the other domain provides. Our findings demonstrate the benefits and promise of structured programs to promote reciprocal learning between military and civilian surgery.
Topics: Education, Medical; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Learning; Military Medicine; Military Personnel; Surgeons; Traumatology
PubMed: 31599807
DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000003635