Initial subjective load carriage injury data collected with interviews and questionnaires.

Area of Science:

• Military science
• Human factors engineering
• Sports medicine

Background:

• Load carriage is a common activity for soldiers, often leading to injuries.
• Understanding the impact of load carriage on soldier well-being is crucial for performance and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the types, incidence, and causes of injuries and discomfort from load carriage.
• To analyze soldier responses to a 2-hour, forced-speed treadmill march with a 20 kg load.

Main Methods:

• Collection of subjective load carriage data through interviews and questionnaires.
• Involving relatively inexperienced soldiers after a load carriage period.

Main Results:

• The upper limb is highly susceptible to short-term discomfort, unlike the lower limb.
• Shoulders reported significantly higher discomfort than other regions; approximately 60% of participants developed blisters.
• Shoulder discomfort began immediately and increased steadily, while foot discomfort escalated rapidly once it appeared.

Conclusions:

• Early shoulder pain or blisters are potential risk factors for severe pain and mission noncompletion.
• Targeted interventions for shoulder discomfort and blister prevention are recommended for soldiers.
• Load carriage protocols should consider the susceptibility of the upper limbs to discomfort.