Department of Defense
Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention Research Project

The Neuromuscular Research Laboratory has been awarded research grants from the United States Department of Defense that will be fully executed and implemented during 2007 to study and develop models of injury prevention and performance enhancement of the US Army 101 st Airborne (Air Assault) troops at Fort Campbell and the US Naval Special Warfare (SEALS) special operation units at Little Creek, VA. Combined, these awards totaled $4,850,000. Activities associated with this project during 2006 included extensive piloting of research protocols that will be implemented during 2007.

Unintentional, musculoskeletal injury during tactical operations training and combat is a principal health concern in the military as the US Armed Forces invest considerable resources in training. Unintentional, musculoskeletal injuries have been reported to result from suboptimal biomechanical, musculoskeletal, and physiological characteristics. Given the vigorous demands of training and combat, the introduction of preemptive injury prevention and performance enhancement training programs is warranted. Improvements in the biomechanical, musculoskeletal, and physiological risk factors that are known to contribute to injury will result in a reduction of unintentional, musculoskeletal injuries and enhanced physiolog ical performance of Soldiers in the Army 101 st Airborne and SEAL Operators.

Ultimately, Soldiers in the Army 101 st Airborne and SEAL Operators will demonstrate improved safety and enhanced military readiness which will result in decreased time lost due to disability, personnel attrition, and financial burden associated with medical expenses and disability compensation. This research initiative for the Navy SEALS will meet the collective desire of the Naval Special Operations Forces Commanders to strategically maximize human capital, sharpen battlefield performance, and extend the operational service life of the SEAL Operator. Development of a task and demand-analysis-based, empirically supported, and strategic injury prevention and human performance initiative will be the benchmark for all components of Naval Special Warfare.