Skip to main content
Have a personal or library account? Click to login
Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention Across Military and Veteran Populations: The Role of Sleep, Stress, and Holistic Health Cover

Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention Across Military and Veteran Populations: The Role of Sleep, Stress, and Holistic Health

Open Access
|May 2026

References

  1. Abanes, J. J., Ridner, S. H., Dietrich, M. S., Hiers, C., & Rhoten, B. (2022). Acupuncture for sleep disturbances in post-deployment military service members: A randomized controlled trial. Clinical Nursing Research, 31(2), 239250. 10.1177/10547738211030602
  2. Abdelwadoud, M., Collen, J., Edwards, H., Mullins, D., Jobe, S., Labra, C., Capaldi, V. F. II., Assefa, S. Z., Williams, S. G., Drake, C. L., Abrecht, J. S., Manber, R., Mahoney, A., Bevan, J., Grander, M. A., & Wickwire, E. M. (2022). Engaging stakeholders to optimize sleep disorders’ management in the U.S. military: A qualitative analysis. Military Medicine, 187(7–8), 941947. 10.1093/milmed/usab341
  3. Bulmer, S., Aisbett, B., Drain, J. R., Roberts, S., Gastin, P. B., Tait, J., & Main, L. C. (2022). Sleep of recruits throughout basic military training and its relationships with stress, recovery, and fatigue. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 95, 13311342. 10.1007/s00420-022-01845-9
  4. Chennaoui, M., Vanneau, T., Trignol, A., Arnal, P., Gomez-Merino, D., Baudot, C., Perez, J., Pochettino, S., Eirale, C., & Chalabi, H. (2021). How does sleep help recovery from exercise-induced muscle injuries? Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 24, 982987. 10.1016/j.jsams.2021.05.007
  5. Dijksma, I., Bekkers, M., Spek, B., Lucas, C., & Stuiver, M. (2020). Epidemiology and financial burden of musculoskeletal injuries as the leading health problem in the military. Military Medicine, 185(3/4), 480486. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usz328
  6. Dos Santos Bunn, P., de Oliveira Miereles, F., de Souza Sodré, R., Rodrigues, A. I., & Bezerra da Silva, E. (2021). Risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries in military personnel: A systematic review with meta-analysis. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 94, 11731189. 10.1007/s00420-021-01700-3
  7. Ebrahimi, F., Sokhtseraei, S., & Navidian, A. (2023). The effect of sleep hygiene education on sleep quality, depression, and fatigue of hemodialysis patients. Medical-Surgical Nursing Journal, 12(1), 18. 10.5812/msnj-138254
  8. Ee, J. S., Berry-Cabán, C. S., Nguyen, D. R., Boyd, M., Bennett, N., Beltran, T., & Williams, M. (2016). Soldiers’ perspectives of insomnia behavioral treatment in a primary care setting. Journal of Sleep Disorders and Management, 2(2), 15. 10.23937/2572-4053.1510012
  9. Garcia-Davis, S., Hlaing, W. M., Vidot, D. C., Feaster, D. J., Hansen, J., Brintz, B. J., Intrator, O., Leykum, L. K., Bouldin, E. D., Trivedi, R. B., Noel, P. H., & Dang, S. (2025). The epidemiology of the long-term care needs and unmet needs of older veterans in the United States. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(12), 42194245. 10.3390/jcm14124219
  10. Good, C. H., Brager, A. J., Capaldi, V. F., & Mysliwiec, V. (2020). Sleep in the United States military. Neuropsychopharmacology, 45, 176191. 10.1038/s41386-019-0431-7
  11. Grier, T., Dinkeloo, E., Reynolds, M., & Jones, B. H. (2020). Sleep duration and musculoskeletal injury incidence in physically active men and women: A study of U.S. Army Special Operation Forces soldiers. Journal of the National Sleep Foundation, 6(3), 344349. 10.1016/j.sleh.2020.01.004
  12. Groessl, E. J., Hafey, C., McCarthy, Ad., Hernandez, R. M., Prado-Nava, M., Casteel, D., McKinnon, S., Chang, D. G., Ayers, C. R., Rutledge, T. R., Lang, A. J., & Bormann, J. E. (2023). Yoga plus mantram repetition to reduce chronic pain in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder: A feasibility trial. Global Advances in Integrative Medicine & Health, 12, 114. 10.1177/2F27536130231220623
  13. Güler, M., Öztürk, E., & Yanar, N. (2023). The predictive effect of basic military training and general health status on sleep quality. International Maritime Health, 74(3), 180185. 10.5603/imh.95536
  14. Harris, E., Taylor, M., Drummond, S. P. A., Larson, G. E., & Potterat, E. G. (2015). Assessment of sleep disruption and sleep quality in Naval Special Warfare Operators. Military Medicine, 180(7), 803808. 10.7205/MILMED-D-14-00436
  15. Harrison, E. M., Glickman, G. L., Beckerley, S., & Taylor, M. K. (2017). Self-reported sleep during U.S. Navy operations and the impact of deployment-related factors. Military Medicine, 182, 189194. 10.7205/MILMED-D-16-00078
  16. Harrison, E. M., Schmied, E. A., Hurtado, S. L., Easterling, A. P., & Glickman, G. L. (2022). The development, implementation, and feasibility of a circadian, light, and sleep skills program for shipboard military personnel (CLASS-SM). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, 30933107. 10.3390/ijerph19053093
  17. Hilgeman, M. M., Cramer, R. J., Hoch, M. C., Collins, A. N., Zabelski, S., & Heebner, N. R. (2022). A pilot study comparing two measures of perceived health services access among military veterans with musculoskeletal injuries and mental health conditions. Military Medicine, 188(7–8), 23632372. 10.1093/milmed/usac072
  18. Hughes, J. M., Foulis, S. A., Taylor, K. M., Guerriere, K. I., Walker, L. A., Hand, A. F., Popp, K. L., Gaffney-Stomberg, E., Heaton, K. J., Sharp, M. A., Grier, T. L., Hauret, K. G., Jones, B. H., Bouxsein, M. L., McClung, J. P., Matheny, R. W. Jr., & Proctor, S. P. (2019). A prospective field study of U.S. Army trainees to identify the physiological bases and key factors influencing musculoskeletal injuries: A study protocol. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 20(282), 17. 10.1186/s12891-019-2634-9
  19. Knapik, J. J., Caldwell, J. A., Steelman, R. A., Trone, D. W., Farina, E. K., & Lieberman, H. R. (2023). Short sleep duration is associated with a wide variety of medical conditions among United States military service members. Sleep Medicine, 101, 283295. 10.1016/j.sleep.2022.11.015
  20. Laroche, M., Chassé, E., Théoret, D., Lalonde, F., & Comtois, A. (2023). Assessment of training load, sleep, injuries, and operational physical performance during basic military qualification. Military Medicine, 188(7/8), 20182025. 10.1093/milmed/usac334
  21. Lisman, P., Ritland, B. M., Burke, T. M., Sweeney, L., & Dobrosielski, D. A. (2022). The association between sleep and musculoskeletal injuries in military personnel: A systematic review. Military Medicine, 187(11/12), 13181329. 10.1093/milmed/usac118
  22. Lovalekar, M., Hauret, K., Roy, T., Taylor, K., Blacker, S. D., Newman, P., Yanovich, R., Fleischmann, C., Nindl, B. C., Jones, B., & Canham-Chervak, M. (2021). Musculoskeletal injuries in military personnel – Descriptive epidemiology, risk factor, identification, and prevention. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 24, 936969. 10.1016/j.jsams.2021.03.016
  23. McBride, D., Samaranayaka, A., Richardson, A., Gardner, D., Shepherd, D., Wyeth, E., de Graaf, B., & Derrett, S. (2022). Factors associated with self-reported health among New Zealand military veterans: A cross-sectional study. BMJ Open, 12, 18. 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056916
  24. McGinnis, G. R., Thompson, S. T., Aguilar, C. D., Dial, M. B., Tandy, R. D., & Radzak, K. N. (2022). Chronotype and social jetlag influence performance and injury during Reserve Officers’ Training Corps physical training. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20), 13644. 10.3390/ijerph192013644
  25. Minooeefar, J., Allami, M., Dabiri, A., & Faraji, E. (2021). Investigating the prevalence of non-communicable diseases in veterans with musculoskeletal disorders. Journal of Military and Veterans’ Health, 29(4), 4451. https://doi-ds.org/doilink/12.2021-47324138/JMVH
  26. Müller-Schilling, L., Gundlach, N., Böckelmann, I., & Sammito, S. (2019). Physical fitness as a risk factor for injuries and excessive symptoms during basic military training. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 92, 837841. 10.1007/s00420-019-01423-6
  27. Nye, N. S., Grubic, T., Kim, M., O’Connor, F., & Deuster, P. A. (2023). Universal training precautions: A review of evidence and recommendations for prevention of exercise-related injury, illness, and death in warfighters and athletes. Journal of Athletic Training, 58(3), 232243. 10.4085/1062–;6050–0400.21
  28. Ord, A. S., Lad, S. S., Shura, R. D., Rowland, J. A., Taber, K. H., & Martindale, S. L. (2021). Pain interference and quality of life in combat veterans: Examining the roles of post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and sleep quality. Rehabilitation Psychology, 66(1), 3138. 10.1037/rep0000333
  29. Papaconstantinou, E., Cancelliere, C., Verville, L., Wong, J. J., Connell, G., Yu, H., Shearer, H., Timperley, C., Chung, C., Porter, B. J., Myrtos, D., Barrigar, M., & Taylor-Vaisey, T. (2021). Effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions on sleep characteristics among adults with musculoskeletal pain and a comorbid sleep program: A systematic review. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 29(23), 122. 10.1186/s12998-021-00381-6
  30. Pey-Shan, W., Herrin, I., & Pittman, A. (2022). Feasibility of yoga to improve symptoms in individuals with severe, chronic traumatic brain injury: A mixed-methods case series. Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine, 28(1), 3237. https://www.alternative-therapies.com/
  31. Powell, M. A., Corbo, V., Fonda, J. R., Otis, J. D., Milberg, W. P., & McGlinchey, R. E. (2015). Sleep quality and reexperiencing symptoms of PTSD are associated with current pain in U.S. OEF/OIF/OND veterans with and without mTBIs. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 28, 322329. 10.1002/jts.22027
  32. Reilly, E. D., Robinson, S. A., Petrakis, B. A., Gardner, M. M., Wiener, R. S., Castaneda-Sceppa, C., & Quigley, K. S. (2021). Mobile intervention to improve sleep and functional health of veterans with insomnia: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Formative Research, 5(12), 116. 10.2196/29573
  33. Ritland, B. M., Judkins, J. L., Naylor, J. A., Kardouni, J. R., Pasiakos, S. M., & Jayne, J. M. (2023). The relationship between sleep, pain, and musculoskeletal injuries in U.S. Army soldiers. BMJ Military Health, 14. 10.1136/military-2022-002281
  34. Ruan, Y., Yu, X., Wang, H., Zou, B., Song, W., Gu, W., & Ling, C. (2021). Sleep quality and military training injury during basic combat training: A prospective cohort study of Chinese male recruits. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 78, 433437. 10.1136/oemed-2020-106950
  35. Song, Y., Dzierzewski, J. M., Fung, C. H., Rodriguez, J. C., Jouldjian, S., Mitchell, M. N., Josephson, K. R., Alessi, C. A., & Martin, J. L. (2015). Association between sleep and physical function in older veterans in an adult day healthcare program. Journal of American Geriatrics Society, 63(8), 16221627. 10.1111/jgs.13527
  36. Schmied, E. A., Harrison, E. M., Dell’Acqua, R. G., Perez, V. G., Glickman, G., & Hurtado, S. L. (2021). A qualitative examination of factors that influence sleep among shipboard sailors. Military Medicine, 186(1/2), 160168. 10.1093/milmed/usaa321
  37. Smith, C. D., Gutierrez, I. A., Nassif, T. H., Jordan, K. L., Taylor, K. M., Jha, A. P., & Adler, A. B. (2023). Impact of mindfulness training and yoga on injury and pain related impairment: A group randomized trial in basic combat training. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 19. 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1214039
  38. Sukhera, J. (2022). Narrative reviews: Flexible, rigorous, and practical. Journal of Graduate Medical Education, 14(4), 414417. 10.4300/JGME-D-22-00480.1
  39. Tait, J. L., Aisbett, B., Corrigan, S. L., Drain, J. R., & Main, L. C. (2024). Recovery of cognitive performance following multi-stressor military training. Human Factors, 66(2), 389403. 10.1177/00187208221086686
  40. Taylor, D. J., Pruiksman, K. E., Mintz, J., Slavish, D. C., Wardle-Pinkston, S., Tyler, H., Dondanville, K. A., Young-McCaughan, S., Scullin, M. K., Nicholson, K. L., Litz, B. T., Dietch, J. R., Williamson, D. E., Keane, T. M., Peterson, A. L., & Resick, P. A. (2020). Treatment of comorbid sleep disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder in active duty military: Design and methodology of a randomized clinical trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 99, 19. 10.1016/j.cct.2020.106186
  41. Teyhen, D. S., Capaldi, V. F. II., Drummond, S. P. A., Rhon, D. I., Barrett, A. S., Silvernail, J. L., & Bolan, D. M. (2021). How sleep can help maximize human potential: The role of leaders. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 24, 988994. 10.1016/j.jsams.2021.08.012
  42. Teyhen, D. S., Shaffer, S. W., Goffar, S. L., Kiesel, K., Butler, R. J., Rhon, D. I., & Plisky, P. J. (2020). Identification of risk factors prospectively associated with musculoskeletal injury in a warrior athlete population. Sports Health, 12(6), 564572. 10.1177/1941738120902991
  43. Veehof, M. M., Trompetter, H. R., Bohlmeijer, E. T., & Schreurs, K. M. G. (2016). Acceptance- and mindfulness-based interventions for the treatment of chronic pain: A meta-analytic review. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 45(1), 531. 10.1080/16506073.2015.1098724
  44. Wardle, S. L., & Greeves, J. P. (2017). Mitigating the risk of musculoskeletal injury: A systematic review of the most effective injury prevention strategies for military personnel. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 20, 310. 10.1016/j.jsams.2017.09.014
Language: English
Page range: 91 - 106
Submitted on: Mar 12, 2026
Accepted on: Apr 29, 2026
Published on: May 27, 2026
Published by: Virginia Tech Publishing
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

© 2026 Lauren E. Fried, Brian Oddi, Marc Federico, published by Virginia Tech Publishing
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.