Achilles and patellar tendon structure following a prevention program in male combat soldiers

The aims of the study were to compare the prevalence of soldiers with musculoskeletal symptoms between soldiers that participated in a prevention program (INT) and a control group (CONT); and, to assess whether 'high risk' for a symptom indicator [participants with patellar tendon (PT) echo-type III+IV >10% or Achilles tendon (AT) echo-type III >8.5%] applies when a prevention intervention is used.

Soldiers from two consecutive infantry commanders courses (year 1-CONT, n = 165; year 2-INT, n = 196) were examined pre-course for AT and PT structure using ultrasound tissue characterization (UTC), and their musculoskeletal overuse symptoms were assessed and recorded by military physicians throughout the course. A prevention program was provided to the INT group (year 2) during the 14-week course.

No significant differences were found in the prevalence of soldiers with symptoms between the two groups [INT: 39 (19.9%), CONT: 40 (24.2%); p = .32]. Using the indicator at baseline, 20 soldiers (10.2%) were suggested to be at 'high risk.' Of those 20 soldiers, 17 actually had symptoms during the course (positive predictive value-85%). The prevalence of soldiers with a suggested 'high risk' according to our indicator who had no symptoms during the course was low (3/20, 15%). Twenty-two soldiers who had symptoms during the course had not been suggested to be at 'high risk' by our indicator.

Our intervention did not reduce the prevalence of soldiers with symptoms. Our 'high risk' pre-course, AT and PT structure indicator is valid and can be used as a screening tool to reduce the prevalence of symptoms in combat soldiers; with the caution that soldiers that were not identified by the indicator, might also have symptoms along the course.