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Original research
Electromyography and range-of-motion measurements in German soldiers wearing different types of body armour while marching
  1. Patricia Lang1,
  2. M Amann2,
  3. H-J Riesner2,
  4. B Friemert3,
  5. H Siebers4,
  6. M Betsch5 and
  7. H-G Palm6
  1. 1Zentrum für integrierte Rehabilitation, Rehabilitationskrankenhaus Ulm gGmbH, Ulm, Germany
  2. 2Department of Trauma Surgery and Orthopedics, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Ulm, Ulm, Germany
  3. 3Central Hospital Management, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Ulm, Ulm, Germany
  4. 4Department of Orthopedic, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, RWTH, Aachen, Germany
  5. 5Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Erlangen University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany
  6. 6Center for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Klinikum Ingolstadt GmbH, Ingolstadt, Germany
  1. Correspondence to Dr Patricia Lang, Zentrum für integrierte Rehabilitation, Rehabilitationskrankenhaus Ulm gGmbH, Ulm, Germany; patricia-1.lang{at}uni-ulm.de

Abstract

Introduction In this study, we used surface electromyography (EMG) electrodes in order to measure and compare activity in the neck, back and thigh muscles of soldiers wearing two different types of body armour. A secondary objective was to analyse shoulder and hip ranges of motion using inertial motion sensors.

Methods Fourteen male soldiers were instructed to march 6 km on a treadmill while wearing different types of body armour. All participants wore shorts and a T-shirt and the same size vest regardless of their body size. We measured back and thigh muscle activity as well as shoulder and hip ranges of motion at regular intervals during the march.

Results Over the course of a 6 km march, muscle activity was already increased to 1.3 to 2.0 times after putting on the vest and increased by up to 13 times during the march with equipment. The new vest with hip belt required higher levels of muscle activity.

Conclusions Body armour with hip belt placed higher levels of stress on back and neck muscles during a 6 km march than without. There was no major difference between the two types of body armour in terms of thigh muscle activity.

Trial registration number DRKS00016005.

  • back pain
  • musculoskeletal disorders
  • health & safety
  • spine

Data availability statement

No data are available. Not applicable.

https://doi.org/10.1136/military-2023-002618

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    Data availability statement

    No data are available. Not applicable.

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors MA and HS collected and analysed the data and authored the original manuscript. PL, MB and H-GP drafted this research. BF and H-JR approved and supervised the military implementation. PL and H-GP reviewed and edited the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. PL acts as guarantor.

    • 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 views expressed are solely those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Bundeswehr.

    • Competing interests None declared.

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