Analysis of combat injuries in contemporary military conflicts: the need to improve physical training of military personnel by adapted physical training

Mine-blast wounds and lower limb injuries leading to amputations have spiked, which increases the risk of mental disorders and incapacitation of a significant number of military personnel. This study presents adapted physical training as a core method of medical and social rehabilitation of military personnel with disabilities who have continued their military service. The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the structure of combat injuries in contemporary armed conflicts with a focus on mine-blast injuries and their effects on the performance status of military personnel. The content analysis and comparison of historical and comparative data showed persistent prevalence of mine-blast trauma associated with a high frequency of lower limb amputations and a complex range of early and long-term complications. It is noted that amputations in military personnel cause pronounced mental distress mainly manifested by reactions to severe stress, anxiety, and depressive disorders, which increases the risk of cognitive dysfunction and requires psychological and neurocognitive modules in rehabilitation programmes. The study identifies target areas for improving the physical training of military personnel with lower limb amputations by boosting strength endurance and core stability, teaching energy-efficient walk on prostheses, preventing pain syndromes and secondary deformities, and integrating adapted physical training in interdisciplinary rehabilitation and professional reintegration protocols. The findings confirm the need to develop standardized adapted physical training methods aimed at faster functional recovery and return to service.