A small cross sectional area (CSA) of the paraspinal muscles may be related to low back pain among military aviators but previous studies have mainly concentrated on spinal disc degeneration. Therefore, the primary aim of the study was to investigate the changes in muscle CSA and composition of the psoas and paraspinal muscles during a 5-year follow up among Finnish Air Force (FINAF) fighter pilots. Study population consisted of 26 volunteered FINAF male fighter pilots (age: 20.6 (±0.6) at the baseline). The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations were collected at baseline and after 5 years of follow-up. CSA and composition of the paraspinal and psoas muscles were obtained at the levels of 3–4 and 4–5 lumbar spine. Maximal isometric strength tests were only performed on one occasion at baseline. The follow-up comparisons indicated that the mean CSA of the paraspinal muscles increased (p < 0.01) by 8% at L3–4 level and 7% at L4–5 level during the 5-year period. There was no change in muscle composition during the follow-up period. The paraspinal and psoas muscles’ CSA was positively related to overall maximal isometric strength at the baseline. However, there was no association between LBP and muscle composition or CSA. The paraspinal muscles’ CSA increased among FINAF fighter pilots during the first 5 years of service. This might be explained by physically demanding work and regular physical activity. However, no associations between muscle composition or CSA and low back pain (LBP) experienced were observed after the five-year follow-up.

Background: An adequate level of muscular fitness is related to occupational performance in military personnel, including pilots flying high performance aircraft. The aim of this study was to describe the baseline level and the change in muscular fitness between the first and the second years of the Air Force Academy among fighter pilot cadets. Methods: The muscular strength and endurance test results of 182 male fighter pilot cadets were analyzed during their first year in the Air Force Academy and one year after. Maximal isometric strength tests included trunk flexion, trunk extension and bilateral leg extension tests, whereas muscle endurance was measured with modified a sit-up test and seated alternative dumbbell press. Results: The maximal isometric bilateral strength of the leg extensor muscles increased from 220 ± 42 to 232 ± 42 kg. The maximal isometric trunk extension strength increased from 117 ± 21 to 120 ± 19 kg and trunk flexion from 82 ± 16 to 86 ± 17 kg. Muscle endurance increased from 68 ± 13 to 75 ± 15 repetitions/min in seated dumbbell press and from 47 ± 12 to 51 ± 13 repetitions/min in sit-up test. Conclusions: Both maximal strength and muscular endurance improved among fighter pilot cadets, which indicates that occupational performance is well maintained or improved from the perspective of physical fitness during the early phase of academy studies. Education in the Air Force Academy, including physical education, seems beneficial in improving muscular fitness among military pilots.

Background: There is limited evidence of how physical activity (PA) associates with low back pain (LBP) and neck pain (NP). Particularly, the association between occupational or commuting PA and LBP/NP is unclear. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between spinal disorders and different physical activity domains in young and healthy adult men.Methods: Self-reported leisure time, occupational and commuting PA, as well as LBP and NP, were studied using questionnaires among young Finnish males (n = 1,630). Logistic regression analysis was used to study the associations of PA domains, physical fitness, and spinal disorders. Regression models were adjusted for age, education, smoking, waist circumference, and the other PA domains.Results: There was a positive association between moderate leisure-time PA and both LBP (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.18–1.95) and NP (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.00–1.66) compared to low PA. Furthermore, moderate (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.00–1.71) and high (OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.15–2.02) leisure time PA groups had a higher likelihood of lumbago. Moderate (OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.51–0.90) and high (OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.48–0.95) occupational PA groups had lower likelihood for radiating LBP, while high occupational PA (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.52–0.99) had lower likelihood for lumbago.Conclusions: The associations between physical activity and LBP or NP seem to vary between different domains of physical activity among young healthy men. Commuting and occupation-related PA appear not to be harmfully associated with LPB or NP, whereas moderate-level leisure time PA may be associated with increased LBP and NP, and the respective high level may be associated with an increase in the prevalence of lumbago.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate whether physical fitness and body mass index (BMI) are associated with premature discharge from military service because of health reasons. Materials and Methods: The data was collected using a cross-sectional design and included the fitness test results and background information of Finnish conscripts (n = 228, 125) from 2012 to 2021. The physical fitness measures included a 12-minute running test, standing long jump, sit-up, and push-up tests. The BMI was calculated based on height and weight. Results: Conscripts in any of the lowest quartile of physical fitness were more likely to be discharged from their service compared to those in the highest quartiles (12-minute running test odds ratio (OR) 1.99; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.88–2.11; standing long jump OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.38-1.53; sit-up test OR 1.46; 95% CI 1.38–1.54; and push-up test OR 1.50; 95% CI 1.42–1.59). The likelihood of being discharged from military service was higher among underweight (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.22–1.50) and obese conscripts (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.23–1.42) compared to normal weight conscripts. The most significant predictors for being discharged from service, found using backward elimination regression, were the 12-minute running test performance and BMI. The highest risk of being discharged from service was found to be among underweight conscripts with poor fitness. Discussion: Physical fitness and BMI were both associated with discharge from military service. Both under and overweight conscripts and those with poor physical fitness had a higher probability of being discharged from service. Therefore, the use of pre- and in service modifications to improve physical fitness and BMI could save resources for the Defence Forces and society as a whole.

Study Aim: Helicopter crew is exposed to vibration and unergonomic working positions leading to musculoskeletal disorders. The impact of training programs on the physical performance and further, musculoskeletal disorders is not well known. The aim of the present study is to examine the effects of the self-guided and guided training periods on the physical performance of helicopter pilots and crew, and to further investigate the relationship between physical performance and spinal disorders. Material and methods: Physical fitness was assessed prior and after individual and guided training intervals among voluntary military helicopter pilots and crew members ( n = 33). The assessments included maximal isometric force, explosive power of the upper and lower extremities and muscle endurance of the core muscles. An evacuation test focused for anaerobic capacity, while mobility was assessed using the 1080 MAP ^© mobility test. Participants completed exercise diaries in both intervals. Results: The guided training showed a significant positive relationship between improvements in back and abdominal muscle strength and mobility, whereas individual training did not show similar results. Over the past year, nearly three-fourths of the participants experienced neck-shoulder or lower back pain. Negative relationships existed between neck-shoulder pain and abdominal and back muscle strength, as well as between lower back pain and the modified abdominal test. Conclusion: Supervised physical training seems to improve physical performance and reduce pain symptoms among helicopter pilots and crew. It is, however, essential to increase guided exercise access and participation, especially for those soldiers with low activity levels.