Barriers and Facilitators to Implementation of Musculoskeletal Injury Mitigation Programmes for Military Service Members Around the World: A Scoping Review

Bullock GS, Dartt Ce, Ricker EA, arden N, clifton D, danelson K, fraser jj, gomez c, greenlee ta, gregory a, gribbin t, losciale j, molloy jm, nicholson kF, polich jg, raisanen a, shah k, smuda m, teyhen ds, allard rj, collins gs, de la motte sj, rhon di

Musculoskeletal injury (MSK-I) mitigation and prevention programmes (MSK-IMPPs) have been developed and implemented across militaries worldwide. Although programme efficacy is often reported, development and implementation details are often overlooked, limiting their scalability, sustainability and effectiveness. This scoping review aimed to identify the following in military populations: (1) barriers and facilitators to implementing and scaling MSK-IMPPs; (2) gaps in MSK-IMPP research and (3) future research priorities. This review concluded that despite a robust body of literature, there is a dearth of information about programme implementation; specifically, barriers or facilitators to success. Additionally, variability in outcomes and lack of consensus on MSK-I definitions may affect the development, implementation evaluation and comparison of MSK-IMPPs. There is a need for international consensus on definitions and optimal data reporting elements when conducting injury risk mitigation research in the military.

Bullock GS, Dartt CE, Ricker EA, et al Barriers and facilitators to implementation of musculoskeletal injury mitigation programmes for military service members around the world: a scoping review. Injury Prevention Published Online First: 23 August 2023. doi: 10.1136/ip-2023-044905