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Surveillance is the first step to preventing injury among fast jet aircrew: results of a 2-year prospective cohort study
  1. James Byron Wallace1,2,
  2. Peter G Osmotherly3,
  3. Tim J Gabbett4,5,
  4. Wayne Spratford1,
  5. Phil Mark Newman1
  1. 1 Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
  2. 2 Ethos Health, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
  3. 3 School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
  4. 4 Gabbett Performance Solutions, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  5. 5 Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
  1. Correspondence to James Byron Wallace, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2617, Australia; james.wallace{at}canberra.edu.au

Abstract

Objectives Injury surveillance is imperative for injury prevention but difficult in military populations. Our objective was to accurately describe the pattern of musculoskeletal complaints among Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) fast jet aircrew (FJA) using the validated University of Canberra Fast Jet Aircrew Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (UC-FJAMQ) over a 2-year period, and determine injury burden on the workforce and operational capability.

Methods 306 RAAF FJA were monitored over a 2-year period (4×5 month reporting periods). Musculoskeletal complaint episodes (MCEs) were captured weekly using the UC-FJAMQ. Time loss episodes (TLEs) were captured from the UC-FJAMQ and injury registers completed by embedded physiotherapists. Cumulative severity and operational impact scores from the UC-FJAMQ, and time loss duration, were used to describe severity and calculate burden.

Results Mean weekly UC-FJAMQ response rate was 62%. 1012 MCEs were captured, with a mean weekly prevalence of 14.9% (95% CI 14.2–15.6), and incidence of 4.1 episodes per person-year (95% CI 3.9–4.4). A total of 145 TLEs were captured, with a mean 5-month prevalence of 12.4% (range 8.9–15.3%), and incidence of 0.37 episodes per person-year (95% CI 0.31–0.43). Spinal regions accounted for 81% of MCEs and contributed 76% and 85% of burden in relation to cumulative severity and operational impact, respectively. 57% of TLE burden came from spinal regions.

Conclusions Despite modest weekly UC-FJAMQ response rates, musculoskeletal complaints were shown to be widespread and negatively impact operational capability. Future injury prevention efforts among FJA should focus on spinal regions, particularly the neck.

  • Injury
  • Military Personnel
  • Occupational Health Services
  • Preventive medicine
  • Musculoskeletal System

Data availability statement

Data are available upon reasonable request. The data sets used for analysis in this study may be provided upon reasonable request pending approval for release from relevant organisations within Australian Defence Organisation.

https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2023-108990

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    Data availability statement

    Data are available upon reasonable request. The data sets used for analysis in this study may be provided upon reasonable request pending approval for release from relevant organisations within Australian Defence Organisation.

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    Footnotes

    • Twitter @Jim_Wallace83

    • Contributors JBW planned the study. All authors contributed to finalising the plan. JBW and PMN analysed the results. JBW wrote the draft of the paper. JBW is responsible for the overall content as guarantor. All authors contributed to reviewing the paper. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Disclaimer The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian Defence Organisation or any extant policy. This paper has been approved for release in accordance with ADF instructions.

    • Competing interests At the time this study was conducted, JBW provided consultancy and evaluation services to a RAAF Institute of Aviation Medicine and Air Combat Group programme which functioned to address the risk of neck and back injury among FJA. TJG works as a consultant to several high-performance organisations, including military institutions.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.