Morphological perspective of ergonomic implications of hand function and cartilage thickness in Air Force cadets

Abstract

Research on articular cartilage has primarily focused on athletes, particularly regarding increased metatarsal cartilage thickness in high-impact sports, with limited studies in military settings. This study examined Air Force Academy cadets, who experience unique mechanical demands on their hands. A total of 30 senior male cadets (age: 23.14 +/- 0.51 years; height: 174.07 +/- 3.14 cm; weight: 70.20 +/- 6.63 kg) were evaluated based on their hand/wrist injury history, categorizing them into those with an injury history (IH; n,17) and non-injury history (NIH; n,13). Various assessments included body composition, hand grip strength, hand length, and ultrasonography, applying a validated tool (Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire). Ultrasound measurements showed that the IH group had thicker cartilage than the NIH group in the index, ring, and little fingers, indicating the need for improved ergonomics in cockpit design and enhanced training protocols to mitigate injury risks among pilots.