Abstract
Introduction: Back pain in military pilots and crew compromises the safety of operations. Evidence in the area suggests that the use of physical exercises can reduce the intensity and/or prevalence of pain in different regions of the spine, but the results are conflicting.
Objective: To evaluate in the literature whether physical exercise can reduce the intensity or occurrence of pain in different regions of the spine in military pilots and crew members, considering experimental studies present in the literature.
Methods: This was a systematic review study with a search conducted in ten scientific databases, using a search phrase containing descriptors for the outcome and exposure variables. There was no language or publication date restriction. The PICOS strategy (Patient; Intervention; Control; Outcome(s); Study design), to establish the eligibility criteria of the studies The recommendations Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020 Statement) were followed for their writing.
Results and Discussion: A total of 17,522 studies were found. After applying the exclusion criteria, nine studies were part of the present study, four of which demonstrated favorable results for physical exercise. The studies showed great variability in exercise protocols and other methodological problems.
Conclusion: It remains inconclusive whether physical exercises can reduce the intensity and/or prevalence of spinal pain in military pilots and crew. Results were discussed.
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