Citation

Teyhen DS, Shaffer SW, Umlauf JA, Akerman RJ, Canada JB, Butler RJ, Goffar SL, Walker MJ, Kiesel KB, Plisky PJ. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2012; 26(Suppl 2): S61-S72.

Affiliation

1Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, U.S. Army-Baylor University, Texas, USA 2U.S. Army Public Health Command Region-South, Texas, USA 3Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, University of Evansville, Indiana, USA 4Division of Doctor of Physical Therapy, Duke University, North Carolina, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, National Strength and Conditioning Association)

DOI

10.1519/JSC.0b013e31825d80e6

PMID

22643139

Abstract

Musculoskeletal injuries are a primary source of disability in the U.S. Military. Physical training and sports-related activities account for up to 90% of all injuries and 80% of these injuries are considered overuse in nature. As a result there is a need to develop an evidence-based musculoskeletal screen that can assist with injury prevention. The purpose of this study was to assess the capability of an automated system to improve the efficiency of field expedient tests that may help predict injury risk and provide corrective strategies for deficits identified. The field expedient tests include survey questions and measures of movement quality, balance, trunk stability, power, mobility, and foot structure and mobility. Data entry for these tests was automated using hand held computers, barcode scanning, and netbook computers. An automated algorithm for injury risk stratification and mitigation techniques was run on a server computer. Without automation support, subjects were able to be assessed in 84.5 ± 9.1 minutes/subjects compared to 66.8 ± 6.1 minutes/subject with automation and 47.1 ± 5.2 minutes/subject with automation and process improvement measures (p < 0.001). The average time to manually enter the data was 22.2 ± 7.4 minutes/subject. An additional11.5 ± 2.5 minutes/subject was required to manually assign an intervention strategy. Automation of this injury prevention screening protocol using hand held devices and netbook computers allowed for real-time data entry and enhanced the efficiency of injury screening, risk stratification, and prescription of a risk mitigation strategy.

Language: en