CHRONIC BACK DISABILITY - USAF OFFICERS AT SEPARATION AND EXPOSURE TO+GZ

This is the second of two studies done to determine whether moderate G z exposure facilitates back disability, Cumulative trauma (repeated mo derate to high G) exposures could be a precipitant of back pain in the military population, There is at present no reliable method of predic ting who will suffer from back pain, We looked at officer back disabil ity rates at separation from the Air Force (1972-1993], We compared no n-rated Air Force officers to pilots and navigators exposed to low G a nd moderate to high G, We found no significant differences between air crew and non-aircrew individuals until 1985, when the rates for aircre w fell below those of non-rated officers, Moderate G exposure does not seem to be a predictor of subsequent back disability, We recommend a larger prospective study of all rated and non-rated officers, We recom mend that each separating officer undergo a detailed physical examinat ion and answer a detailed back questionnaire.