A study in titled "Lumbar Spine Postures in Marines During Simulated Operational Positions" correlates marines' activities with increased lower back pain and intervertebral disc degeneration, according to The Lemoore Navy News.
Here are seven things to know:
1. The study's purpose was to investigate changes in military personnel's lumbar spine position in typical operational positions while carryingminimal gear to identify the profiles most likely to lead to LBP.
2. Researchers evaluated 43 active male marines by taking note of each marine's daily physical activity and level of LBP before determining LBP's impact on everyday activities.
3. The marines reported sitting and standing for long periods of time and hiking with heavy equipment. The research shows that high rates of LBP and IDV are often associated with the sitting position.
4. Researchers found that 77 percent of the marines who suffered from IDV and 72 percent of those who suffer from LBP had decreased range of motion and less lower back extension than healthy marines.
5. The study's results have laid the groundwork for postural interventions to reduce LBP and IDV among military personnel.
6. In 2013, the military saw more than 975,000 back pain-related medical encounters. The Veterans Health Administration has reported recent increases of LBP.
7. Previous studies correlated high rates of intervertebral disc degeneration with military service, time and age among military personnel. Individuals suffering from IVD also tend to have higher rates of LBP.
8. The study was published in January's Journal of Orthopaedic Research.
More spine articles:
Drs. John Barker, Donald Hales & more: 4 spine surgeons in the headlines this week — Feb. 10, 2017
Dr. John Barker to be featured in The Leading Physicians of the World — 4 details
Weill Cornell's spine care center leverages multidisciplinary approach: 6 highlights