The risk factors for injuries in parachuting and load exposure in the training of Chinese paratroopers.

This article focuses on the injury prevalence and associated risk factors among Chinese military paratroopers, based on a large-scale field study and an electromyography (EMG) experiment during simulated platform jumping. The study found an overall injury rate of 13.9 injuries per 1000 parachute jumps and 24.5% based on personnel, with a significant dose-response relationship between parachuting exposure (measured in jump-years) and injury risk. Logistic regression identified uneven terrain, high wind speed, carrying weapons, and aircraft type as key risk factors, with uneven terrain being the most significant. EMG measurements revealed that muscle load during landing from platforms reached or exceeded maximal voluntary contraction levels, suggesting landing impact as a critical factor in injury occurrence. The findings highlight the need for improved injury prevention strategies, including reconsideration of training exercises, use of protective equipment, and further multidisciplinary research on landing techniques.