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Yi and Kim: Factors Influencing Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Military Personnel during Basic Combat Training
Original Article

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2016; 46(4): 523-533.

Published online: 31 August 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2016.46.4.523

Factors Influencing Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Military Personnel during Basic Combat Training

Jeong Min Yi1, Gwang Suk Kim2

1Department of Nursing, Graduate School of Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.

2Mo-Im Kim Nursing Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Nursing, Seoul, Korea.

Address reprint requests to : Kim, Gwang Suk. Mo-Im Kim Nursing Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Nursing, 50-1, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea. Tel: +82-2-2228-3342, Fax: +82-2-392-5440, GSKIM@yuhs.ac

Received 16 September 2015       Revised 16 March 2016       Accepted 11 May 2016

© 2016 Korean Society of Nursing Science

(open-access):

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution NoDerivs License. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/) If the original work is properly cited and retained without any modification or reproduction, it can be used and re-distributed in any format and medium.

Abstract

Purpose

This study was done to examine physical, psycho-social, and individual factors influencing musculoskeletal symptoms among Korean military trainees.

Methods

Using a correlation study design, military trainees who had completed almost of all the basic combat training (BCT) days were recruited from two military training units selected by convenience sampling. Data from 415 participants were analyzed.

Results

Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was 29.6% defined as a participant having pain or discomfort in one or more body parts during training hours for more than seven consecutive days. Back/pelvic (10.8%), knees (10.1%), shoulders (7.7%), feet/toes (5.6%), ankles (4.8%) were prone to musculoskeletal symptoms. Musculoskeletal symptoms appeared to be related to physical exertion during BCT, stress during BCT, social support from fellow trainees, or previous musculoskeletal injuries. In the logistic regression model, physical exertion during BCT (OR=2.27, 95% CI: 1.42~3.65), stress during BCT (OR=1.79, 95% CI: 1.15~2.78), and previous musculoskeletal injuries (OR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.01~2.47) were the significant factors affecting prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms.

Conclusion

Findings indicate that physical exertion and psycho-social stress should be managed to prevent musculoskeletal symptoms in military trainees with more attention being given to trainees having a history of musculoskeletal injuries.

Keywords: Musculoskeletal system, Signs and symptoms, Physical exertion, Psychological stress, Military personnel

Figures and Tables

Table 1

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Symptoms in the Study Participants

jkan-46-523-i001
Table 2

Distributions of Physical Exertion, Stress, Social Support during BCT

jkan-46-523-i002

BCT=Basic combat training.

Table 3

Difference of Variables between the Musculoskeletal Symptomatic Group and Asymptomatic Group

jkan-46-523-i003

*The numbers in the data are less than 415 because of the missing data; BCT=Basic combat training.

Table 4

Predictors of Musculoskeletal Symptoms during BCT

jkan-46-523-i004

BCT=Basic combat training; SE=Standard error; OR=Odds ratio; CI=Confidence interval.

Notes

This manuscript is based on a part of the first author's master's thesis from Yonsei University.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST The author declared no conflict of interest.

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