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Table 5 Hazard ratios (HR) for musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) incidence and incidence of long-term MSD by health behaviour variables at baseline.

From: Aetiology and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders in physically active conscripts: a follow-up study in the Finnish Defence Forces

Health behaviour

Category

Total number (% of experienced MSD;% of experienced ≥10 service days lost due to MSDs)

HR for MSD incidence (n = 652) *

HR for MSD incidence (n = 652) **

HR for long-term MSD incidence (≥10 service days lost) (n = 194) *

HR for long-term MSD incidence (≥10 service days lost) (n = 194) **

Smoking habits

Never smoked regularly

492 (62; 14)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

 

Has smoked regularly

439 (76; 28)

1.5 (1.2-1.7)

1.1 (0.9-1.3)

2.1 (1.6-2.9)

1.5 (1.0-2.1)

Use of alcohol

<1 time per month

176 (57; 14)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

 

1-2 times per week

603 (70; 21)

1.3 (1.0-1.6)

1.2 (0.9-1.5)

1.5 (1.0-2.2)

1.3 (0.8-2.1)

 

≥3 times per week

154 (78; 25)

1.7 (1.3-2.2)

1.3 (1.0-1.9)

1.8 (1.1-3.0)

1.0 (0.5-1.9)

Frequency of drunkenness before military service

<1 time per week

723 (66; 19)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

 

≥1 time per week

211 (77; 27)

1.4 (1.2-1.7)

1.3 (1.1-1.6)

1.6 (1.2-2.2)

1.3 (0.9-1.8)

Agrees that soldier needs good physical fitness

Yes

598 (67; 19)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

 

No

336 (71; 23)

1.1 (1.0-1.3)

1.0 (0.8-1.2)

1.2 (0.9-1.6)

1.0 (0.7-1.3)

Sweating exercise (Brisk leisure time sport)

≥3 times per week

287 (62; 13)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

 

1-2 times per week

282 (72; 21)

1.3 (1.1-1.6)

1.2 (0.9-1.5)

1.7 (1.1-2.5)

1.2 (0.7-2.0)

 

Only leisured exercise

183 (69; 24)

1.4 (1.1-1.8)

1.2 (0.9-1.6)

2.1 (1.4-3.2)

1.4 (0.8-2.3)

 

No physical exercise

182 (75; 29)

1.6 (1.3-2.0)

1.2 (0.9-1.6)

2.5 (1.7-3.9)

1.3 (0.7-2.3)

Participates in individual aerobic sports

Yes, at least sometimes

638 (67; 18)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

 

No

293 (73; 26)

1.2 (1.0-1.5)

1.1 (0.9-1.3)

1.6 (1.2-2.1)

1.3 (0.9-1.8)

Belongs to a sports club

Yes, an active member

148 (64; 10)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

 

No

782 (70; 23)

1.3 (1.0-1.6)

1.5 (1.1-2.0)

2.6 (1.5-4.4)

2.9 (1.4-5.8)

Participates in competitive sports

Yes

138 (71; 16)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

 

No

794 (68; 21)

1.0 (0.8-1.2)

0.7 (0.5-0.9)

1.5 (0.9-2.3)

0.6 (0.3-1.1)

Last degree achieved in school sports

Very good or excellent

436 (67; 19)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

 

Good

301 (66; 20)

1.0 (0.9-1.2)

1.0 (0.8-1.2)

1.1 (0.8-1.5)

1.0 (0.7-1.4)

 

Poor or fair

196 (76; 27)

1.3 (1.1-1.6)

1.0 (0.8-1.2)

1.6 (1.1-2.3)

0.8 (0.5-1.3)

Self-assessed physical fitness 1

Good or very good

217 (65; 14)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

1 (Referent)

 

Average or inferior

717 (70; 23)

1.3 (1.1-1.6)

1.0 (0.8-1.2)

1.8 (1.2-2.6)

1.1 (0.7-1.8)

  1. Variable distribution was charted in 944 male conscripts during the first week of military service and MSD outcomes were registered during the following six-month military service. Long-term MSD was defined as an incidence of time loss of at least 10 active service days due to one or several MSDs. Statistically significant findings are indicated with bold type.
  2. * Adjusted for age (univariate).
  3. ** Adjusted for age, company, smoking, frequency of drunkenness before military service, baseline medical conditions (sports injury during the last month before military entry, chronic impairment or disability due to prior musculoskeletal injury, earlier musculoskeletal symptoms, chronic disease), school success (educational level and grades combined), father's occupation, opinion about physical demands for a soldier, urbanisation level of the place of residence, self-assessed health, waist circumference, height, participating in individual aerobic sports, last degree achieved in school sports, belonging to a sports club, self-assessed physical fitness, participation in competitive sports and physical activity during the previous three months before entering the military.
  4. 1 Compared to age-mates.
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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

ISSN: 1471-2474

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