Chronic back disability: USAF officers at separation and exposure to +Gz

This is the second of two studies done to determine whether moderate Gz exposure facilitates back disability. Cumulative trauma (repeated moderate to high G) exposures could be a precipitant of back pain in the military population. There is at present no reliable method of predicting who will suffer from back pain. We looked at officer back disability rates at separation from the Air Force (1972-1993). We compared non-rated Air Force officers to pilots and navigators exposed to low G and moderate to high G. We found no significant differences between aircrew and non-aircrew individuals until 1985, when the rates for aircrew fell below those of non-rated officers. Moderate G exposure does not seem to be a predictor of subsequent back disability. We recommend a larger prospective study of all rated and non-rated officers. We recommend that each separating officer undergo a detailed physical examination and answer a detailed back questionnaire.