Browsing by Author "Nesterovica, Darja"

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    Peak plantar pressure as a risk factor for lower extremity overuse injury among infantry soldiers
    (2021-02-01) Nesterovica, Darja; Stepens, Ainârs; Vaivads, Normunds; Militārās medicīnas pētījumu un studiju centrs
    The majority of reported injuries among military populations are injuries due to cumulative repetitive microtrauma — overuse injuries. Plantar pressure measurement is a simple tool to analyse lower limb biomechanics through the assessment of forces applied to the foot. This study aimed to determine the relation between peak plantar pressure and lower extremity overuse. Sixty-six active-duty infantry male soldiers, with mean age 29.7 years (range 22–40 years), and mean service time 5.2 years (range 1–15 years) participated. The highest peak plantar pressure (PPP) at the forefoot occurred at the hallux (cases: 50.82 n/cm2, SD = 38.84; control: 34.39 n/cm2, SD = 28.03) and 3rd metatarsal head (cases: 54.40 n/cm2, SD = 33.83; control: 49.16 n/cm2, SD = 28.87). The study demonstrated elevated PPP among cases. Statistically significant results were found at the hallux (c2(1) = 6.8; p = 0.01), medial heel (c2(1) = 5.18; p = 0.02) and lateral heel (c2(1) = 12.12; p < 0.01) regions. The results show that plantar pressure assessment could be used as a useful screening tool for early lower extremity overuse injury detection.
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    Relationship of footwear comfort, selected size, and lower leg overuse injuries among infantry soldiers
    (2021-11-15) Nesterovica, Darja; Vaivads, Normunds; Stepens, Ainars; Militārās medicīnas pētījumu un studiju centrs
    BACKGROUND: High rates of musculoskeletal injuries such as plantar fasciitis and stress fractures have been observed among physically active military personnel. During service time, infantry soldiers use issued boots daily that should fit well and provide comfort to prevent injuries and decrease lower extremity pain effectively. The association of military boot comfort with overuse injuries remains unclear. This study investigates the relationship between the chosen military boot size, perceived boot comfort and lower leg overuse injury. METHODS: During the cross-sectional study, 227 (males, n = 213; females, n = 14) active-duty infantry soldiers at a mean age of 29.5 years old, and with an average service time of 7.2 years were assessed for a history of overuse injury, footprint length, appropriate shoe size, and footwear comfort. Males with a history of overuse injury (n = 32) and non-injured age-matched controls (n = 34) were selected for detailed testing and establishing the possible relationship between footwear comfort and lower leg overuse injury. RESULTS: No relationship was found between footwear comfort and a history of lower leg overuse injury. N = 38 (57.6%) of study subjects were wearing an inappropriate shoe size daily. Inappropriate shoe size usage affected footwear comfort ratings significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Study results showed that improper boot size was significantly related to comfort ratings but was not associated with a history of lower leg overuse injury.
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    Self-reported musculoskeletal acute and overuse injuries among Latvian infantry soldiers
    (Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2020-05-20) Nesterovica, Darja; Vaivads, Normunds; Stepens, Ainars; Lubkina, Velta; Kaupužs, Aivars; Znotiņa, Daina; Militārās medicīnas pētījumu un studiju centrs
    Musculoskeletal injuryis the leading cause of disability among different military populationsthat results in socioeconomic burden and negatively affects military readiness. Study aim wasto describe self-reported musculoskeletal injuries among Latvian infantry soldiers during one-year period. Survey-based cross-sectional studywas carried out. Data was assessed using survey about injuries that occurred in one-year period during annual medical check-up.Musculoskeletal injuries were classified accordingto body regions as it is in Barellinjury matrix and by injury type –acute or overuse.Study results showed in one-year injury incidence rate was 867.8casesper 1000 person-years (95% CI 824.8 –913.0) with total 197 musculoskeletal injuries reported among active duty infantry soldiers.Typical acute injuries were superficial contusion injuries (n=24), fractures (n=21), joint dislocations (n=21) and sprains (n=29). Typical overuse diagnoses were lower back pain (n=42), patellofemoral pain syndrome (n=11), medial tibial stress syndrome (n=9), plantar fasciitis (n=8). Present study showed high incidenceof overuse back injuries and overuse and acute lower leg injuries. Mostly of reported injuriescould be classified as preventable andshouldbe reduced through injury reduction programmes