The Biomechanical Basis for Increased Risk of Overuse Musculoskeletal Injuries in Female Soldiers

Abstract

An increasing number of women are serving in militaries around the world. Overuse musculoskeletal injuries (OMI) are common with military activities in both sexes but are more common in female soldiers, in part because of differences in whole body and tissue-level biomechanics. Sex-based differences in whole body biomechanics such as stride length, knee valgus, and others may help explain differences in OMI risk. Further, tissue-level sexual dimorphisms in body composition, muscle, and bone, also contribute to the higher risk of OMI in female soldiers. Understanding these biomechanical differences will help militaries tailor preventative measures towards female soldiers at high risk of OMI.