Personalized approach to comprehensive fitness assessment of disabled persons injured during the Special Military Operation

BACKGROUND: The increasing number of disabled people injured during the Special Military Operation creates serious challenges for the healthcare and social support systems. Contemporary combat realities are characterized by a high diversity and severity of injuries, requiring effective comprehensive methods to assess the performance status of the injured. Comprehensive approaches, individual rehabilitation programs, and interdisciplinary methods used to assess the performance status of people with disabilities injured during the Special Military Operation will improve the quality of medical care, the distribution of human resources, and ensure more successful integration of these individuals into the social and professional environment. AIM: To substantiate a comprehensive approach to testing and analysis of the performance status of disabled military personnel injured during the Special Military Operation with a focus on personal parameters and to propose the implementation of rehabilitation programs for injured military personnel. METHODS: Our research survey involved 25 male participants aged 25–57 undergoing inpatient or outpatient treatment at the S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy. Respondents were selected by random sampling. Survey participants completed a self-test where they indicated the combat operations they had been involved in, the type of their injury, their goals for the rehabilitation program, and their preferences as to the type of physical activity. RESULTS: Our survey showed that there are many members of the military who participated in the Special Military Operation; most of them have mine blast or shrapnel wounds causing joint mobility and pain issues. These military personnel need a more effective rehabilitation program. Participants of our preliminary study believe that swimming is the best type of physical activity as it relieves stress on the musculoskeletal system and improves joint condition, blood and lymph circulation; promotes tissue regeneration; spares muscles; has a relaxing effect on the body as a whole and treats post-traumatic stress syndrome developing in disabled veterans. CONCLUSION: This study included military personnel with various types of injuries. According to the the survey, combat veterans mainly need the fastest and most effective rehabilitation. This pedagogical study showed that the most effective means of recovery is therapeutic swimming as it improves health and ensures the fastest and most effective assistance as part of personalized rehabilitation programs for the injured.