Educational Strategies for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries Based on Military Physical Conditioning

Abstract

This study evaluated a comprehensive educational strategy for preventing musculoskeletal injuries in military personnel, implemented over 16 weeks in the Ninth Infantry Battalion. The educational strategy, based on the health belief model, integrated three components: 1) theoretical-practical sessions on injury mechanisms and safe exercise techniques, 2) visual educational material (infographics and guides), and 3) supervised application of preventive exercises. In a quasi-experimental design with 250 soldiers (125 intervention group - IG, 125 control group - CG), effectiveness was assessed through knowledge, attitudes, and practices questionnaires, physical fitness tests, and injury records. Results showed that the IG significantly improved (p<0.001) their knowledge (58.3 to 89.7 points), preventive attitudes (65.0 to 89.6 points), and applied practices (57.4 to 84.6 points), along with enhancements in all physical components assessed. Overall injury incidence was reduced by 68% in the IG versus CG (10.4% vs 36.0%; p<0.001), with participation in the educational strategy being the strongest protective factor (OR=0.24). The 87.2% adherence rate and high satisfaction reports confirm the strategy's feasibility. It is concluded that this comprehensive educational model is highly effective for injury prevention and represents a valuable tool for maintaining military operational capability.