| 1. |
- Ahlgren, Åsa, et al.
(author)
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Disability pension despite vocational rehabilitation : A study from six social insurance offices of a county
- 2005
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In: International Journal of Rehabilitation Reserch. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0342-5282 .- 1473-5660. ; 28:1, s. 33-42
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Many long-term sick-listed individuals move from vocational rehabilitation to pension, rather than reaching the goal of return to work. There is thus reason to consider whether rehabilitation resources are being used optimally. Individuals receiving disability pensions are consuming financial and personnel resources at the insurance offices and also consume a large amount of health care. The general objective of the study was to evaluate the proportion of individuals granted vocational rehabilitation but then obtaining temporary or permanent disability pensions. All persons receiving any kind of rehabilitation and attending one of six local national insurance offices in a county in Sweden in 1998 and 1999 were studied. A 2-year follow-up was carried out to assess changes in status among those who had received temporary disability pensions. Of all individuals receiving rehabilitation, 46.2% ended up with a disability pension allowance. In addition, a large portion of the temporary disability pensions was transformed to permanent disability pensions within 2 years. For clients with a temporary disability pension, the rate of resuming work was close to nil. Among rehabilitation measures, investigation showed the lowest figures of work resumption while job training showed the best outcome in this respect. The study concluded that a large portion of the financial and personnel resources allocated by the national insurance offices to rehabilitation resulted in disability pensions.
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| 2. |
- Bohman, Tony, et al.
(author)
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Concurrent validity of an isokinetic lift test used for admission to the Swedish Armed Forces
- 2018
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In: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science. - 1932-6203. ; 13:11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study was to assess the concurrent validity of the IsoKai isokinetic lift test peak force (IsoKai(Peak))1 in comparison to a submaximal 5-1ORM deadlift test (5-10RM(DL)), and to develop an equation for converting the IsoKai(Peak) in Newton (N) to an estimated 1 RM (1 RMest) deadlift load in kilograms (kg). The participants included 28 males and 16 female employees in the Swedish Armed Forces (20-59 years). Each participant conducted the IsoKai lift test, followed by the 5-1ORM(DL) test at one occasion. The Pearson's correlation coefficient, with a 95% confidence interval was calculated to evaluate the validity between the IsoKai(peak) and the 1 RMest deadlift load derived from the 5-10RM(DL) test. Univariate and multivariable linear regressions were used to derive the equation for calculating the 1 RMest deadlift load based on the IsoKai(Peak)- The IsoKai(p)(eak) showed good- to-excellent correlation with the 1 RMest deadlift weight with a correlation coefficient of 0.84 (0.72-0.91) for the total sample, and 0.65 (0.37-0.83) and 0.81 (0.53-0.93) in males and females, respectively. The final equation, 1 RMest deadlift weight (kg) = -51.63 + (0.08 x IsoKai(Peak))1+ (2.28 x BMI), explained 72% (adjusted R-2 = 0.72) of the total variance in the 1 RMest, and had a standard error of the estimate (SEE) of 16.57 kg. In conclusion, the IsoKai isokinetic lift test could be considered a highly valid measure of maximal dynamic muscular strength in comparison to the 5-10RM(DL). The equation can be used to convert the IsoKai lift test (N) results to an 1 RMest deadlift load (kg), but with consideration of the relative large SEE.
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| 3. |
- Bohman, Tony, et al.
(author)
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Reliability and agreement of the IsoKai isokinetic lift test - A test used for admission to the Swedish Armed Forces
- 2018
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In: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library Science. - 1932-6203. ; 13:12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study was performed to evaluate the reliability and agreement of the IsoKai isokinetic lift test as it is currently administered in admission to the Swedish Armed Forces. The study included an intrarater (n = 534) and interrater reliability sample (n = 137), of Swedish male conscripts who performed the test on two test occasions about two hours apart. Two-to-four lifts were performed at each occasion, and the highest mean (IsoKai(MF)) and peak force (IsoKai(PF)) produced (N) were used for evaluation. All intraclass coefficients showed excellent reliability. The interrater analyses resulted in intraclass coefficients of 0.942 (95% CI; 0.920-0.959) and 0.858 (95% CI; 0.806-0.896) for the IsoKai(MF) and IsoKai(PF), respectively, while the corresponding coefficients for the intrarater analyses were 0.935 (95% CI; 0.923-0.946) and 0.865 (95% CI; 0.842-0.886). Agreement, the capability of a test to detect changes, was assessed by the standard error of measurement (SEM/SEM%) and the smallest real difference (SRD/SRD%). These estimate indicated that it is possible to achieve measurements relevant to use in real practice with the IsoKai isokinetic lift test. Bland and Altman analyses revealed no systematic errors in either sample. Based on these findings, the IsoKai isokinetic lift test is suggested to be a highly reliable test for maximal dynamic muscular strength. The test could be of use in selection procedures in order to accurately evaluate maximal dynamic muscular strength, and for evaluating longitudinal changes in strength.
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| 4. |
- Halvarsson, Alexandra, et al.
(author)
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Remarkable increase of musculoskeletal disorders among soldiers preparing for international missions - comparison between 2002 and 2012
- 2019
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In: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2474. ; 20:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background:Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are common among soldiers and constitute the most common reason for discontinuing military service within different military populations worldwide. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in two cohorts, 10 years apart, in the Swedish Armed Forces, to explore differences between these cohorts and to determine associated factors with MSD.Method: Comparative cross-sectional study. Participants were recruited from the Swedish Armed Forces, i.e. soldiers preparing for international missions in 2002 and 2012. A total of 961 soldiers, 7% women, participated in the study.Data were collected using the Musculoskeletal Screening Protocol (MSP), which includes questions regarding prevalence of MSD in ten anatomical locations (neck, upper back, low back, shoulders, elbow, hand, hip, knee, lower limb and foot). An additional five questions concern perceived self-rated health, i.e. how the respondent perceives their own physical body, mental health, social environment, physical environment and work ability.Results: Over a ten-year period, both point prevalence and one-year prevalence of MSD in any body part increased significantly, with point prevalence increasing from 7.1 to 35.2% (p < 0.001) and one-year prevalence from 27.9 to 67.9% (p < 0.001). The knee was the most common anatomic location for MSD in both cohorts. Across each anatomical location (neck, upper back, low back, shoulders, elbow, hand, hip, knee, lower leg and foot), both point prevalence (p < 0.039) and one-year prevalence (p < 0.005) increased significantly from 2002 to 2012.Most soldiers reported good to excellent perceived health, i.e. self-perception of their physical body, mental health, physical and social environments, and work ability.The odds of reporting one-year prevalence of MSD in any body part was 5.28 times higher for soldiers in Cohort 2012, 1.91 times higher in age group 31–40 and 2.84 times higher in age group 41 and above.Conclusions: The prevalence of MSD increased remarkably over a ten-year period among Swedish soldiers preparing for international missions. With increasing age as one risk factor, systematic monitoring of MSD throughout the soldiers’ careers and implementation of targeted primary-to-tertiary preventive programs are thus important.
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| 5. |
- Halvarsson, Alexandra, et al.
(author)
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Self-reported musculoskeletal complaints and injuries and exposure of physical workload in Swedish soldiers serving in Afghanistan
- 2018
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In: PLOS ONE. - : Public library science. - 1932-6203. ; 13:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Musculoskeletal complaints and injuries (MSCI) are common in military populations. However, only a limited number of studies have followed soldiers during international deployments and investigated the prevalence of MSCI during and at the end of their deployment. The aim was to describe the prevalence of MSCI in different military occupational specialties and categorise their most common tasks in terms of exposures to physical workloads during a six-month long international deployment in Afghanistan. Methods: Cross-sectional survey, including 325 soldiers (300 men), aged 20-62 participating in an international deployment in Afghanistan during the spring of 2012. Soldiers were clustered into different military occupational specialties: Infantry, Administration, Logistics, Logistics/Camp, Medical and Other. Data were collected through the use of the Musculoskeletal Screening Protocol at the end of the international mission. Results: Forty-seven percent reported MSCI during deployment, with 28% at the end. The most common locations of MSCI during the mission were lower back, knee, shoulders, upper back, neck and foot, while the knee and lower back prevailed at the end of the mission. Almost half of the soldiers who had MSCI reported affected work ability. The most common duties during the mission were vehicle patrolling, staff duties, guard/security duties, foot patrols and transportation. Soldiers reported that vehicle patrolling, staff duties and transportation were demanding with respect to endurance strength, guard/security duties challenged both maximum and endurance strength while foot patrolling challenged maximum and endurance strength, aerobic and anaerobic endurance and speed. Conclusions: MSCI during international deployment are common among Swedish soldiers. The results indicate the need to further develop strategies focusing on matching the soldiers' capacity to the job requirements, with relevant and fair physical selection-tests during the recruitment process and proactive interventions targeting MSCI before and during deployment, in order to enhance soldiers' readiness and promote operational readiness.
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| 6. |
- Kierkegaard, Marie, et al.
(author)
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High physical exposure during female recruits’ basic military training in Sweden : a descriptive study
- 2024
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In: Military medicine. - : Oxford University Press. - 0026-4075 .- 1930-613X. ; 189:3-4, s. E674-E682
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: There is a knowledge gap concerning the occurrence of physical complaints/injuries, i.e., musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), among Swedish women who undergo basic military training (BMT). The aims were to describe prevalence and factors related to MSD and explore physical exposure and performance in Swedish female recruits during BMT.Materials and Methods: A total of 144 females (mean age 22 years) who underwent BMT in 2016 participated in this cross-sectional study. Data regarding self-reported MSD, physical performance, physical activity and exercise, motivation and mental and physical preparation, and physical exposure during BMT and perceived health were collected at the end of BMT through the Musculoskeletal Screening Protocol questionnaire. Additional data on muscle strength were retrieved from IsoKai isokinetic lift tests. Descriptive and analytic (paired samples t-test and logistic binary regression) statistics were used.Results: The prevalence of MSD was high, with 33% (n = 48) reporting MSD before BMT, 78% (n = 113) during, and 50% (n = 72) at the end of BMT. Knee and upper back were the most frequently reported MSD locations. Forty-four (30%) participants felt insufficiently physically prepared for BMT. The physical exposure was high with loaded marches/runs and carrying heavy loads as the most demanding tasks. The longest walking distance was reportedly 55 km, and the reported maximum load was 50 kg. Forty-five participants (31%) had carried a load representing over 50% of their body weight. Most participants reported good to excellent health at the end of BMT. There was a small (8 N) but significant (P = 0.045) increase in mean force over time. Two variables, MSD before BMT (odds ratio 2.24, P = 0.03) and being physically unprepared (odds ratio 3.03, P < 0.01), were associated with MSD at the end of BMT.Conclusion: This study showed that the prevalence of MSD in Swedish female recruits was high before, during, and at the end of BMT, with knee and upper back as the most frequent locations. Although the physical exposure during BMT was occasionally high, self-rated health was mainly perceived as good to excellent at the end of BMT. Previous MSD and being physically unprepared were related to MSD at the end of BMT. These important and relevant findings indicate the necessity for implementing interventions to increase physical fitness and treat MSD at the beginning of BMT.
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| 7. |
- Kierkegaard, Marie, et al.
(author)
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Test-Retest Reliability and Translation of the Musculoskeletal Screening Protocol Questionnaire Used in the Swedish Armed Forces
- 2023
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In: Military medicine. - : Oxford University Press. - 0026-4075 .- 1930-613X. ; 188:7-8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in military personnel are common, and it is important to identify those at risk so that appropriate preventive and rehabilitative strategies can be undertaken. The Musculoskeletal Screening Protocol (MSP) questionnaire is part of the implemented prevention strategy to reduce MSDs in the Swedish Armed Forces. The aims of this study were to evaluate the questionnaire's reliability and to translate it into English.MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-week test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated in a sample of 35 Swedish military personnel. Reliability was evaluated by calculations of Cohen's kappa or quadratic-weighted kappa. Percent agreement was used as a parameter for measurement error. Translation into English included forward and backward translations and expert committee discussions.RESULTS: Kappa values relating to physical complaints/injuries were excellent (>0.75) except for knee and lower leg MSDs and for the intensity ratings, where Kappa values were mostly interpreted as fair-to-good (0.4-0.75). Kappa values of items pertaining physical performance, physical activity and exercise, eating and tobacco habits, sleep, and perceived health ranged between 0.72 and 1. Kappa values for feeling mentally or physical prepared were 0.47 and 0.65, respectively. Most percentage agreement values ranged between 90% and 100%. The English version was found to be satisfactorily equivalent to the Swedish MSP questionnaire.CONCLUSION: The Swedish MSP questionnaire was found to be highly reliable and was satisfactorily translated into English. This provides support for the questionnaire's ability to trustworthily capture the prevalence of MSDs and perceived health in military personnel. Future research is warranted on the psychometric properties of the English MSP questionnaire.
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| 8. |
- Larsson, Helena, et al.
(author)
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Content Validity Index and Intra- and Inter-Rater Reliability of a New Muscle Strength/Endurance Test Battery for Swedish Soldiers
- 2015
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In: PLOS ONE. - : Public library science. - 1932-6203. ; 10:7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The objective of this study was to examine the content validity of commonly used muscle performance tests in military personnel and to investigate the reliability of a proposed test battery. For the content validity investigation, thirty selected tests were those described in the literature and/or commonly used in the Nordic and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries. Nine selected experts rated, on a four-point Likert scale, the relevance of these tests in relation to five different work tasks: lifting, carrying equipment on the body or in the hands, climbing, and digging. Thereafter, a content validity index (CVI) was calculated for each work task. The result showed excellent CVI (>= 0.78) for sixteen tests, which comprised of one or more of the military work tasks. Three of the tests; the functional lower-limb loading test (the Ranger test), dead-lift with kettlebells, and back extension, showed excellent content validity for four of the work tasks. For the development of a new muscle strength/endurance test battery, these three tests were further supplemented with two other tests, namely, the chins and side-bridge test. The inter-rater reliability was high (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC2,1 0.99) for all five tests. The intra-rater reliability was good to high (ICC3,1 0.82-0.96) with an acceptable standard error of mean (SEM), except for the side-bridge test (SEM%>15). Thus, the final suggested test battery for a valid and reliable evaluation of soldiers' muscle performance comprised the following four tests; the Ranger test, dead-lift with kettlebells, chins, and back extension test. The criterion-related validity of the test battery should be further evaluated for soldiers exposed to varying physical workload.
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