{"id":19163,"date":"2019-06-11T15:23:07","date_gmt":"2019-06-11T15:23:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/06\/11\/did-lower-back-injuries-drive-the-commandants-decision-on-planks\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T20:39:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:39:19","slug":"did-lower-back-injuries-drive-the-commandants-decision-on-planks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/news\/your-marine-corps\/2019\/06\/11\/did-lower-back-injuries-drive-the-commandants-decision-on-planks\/","title":{"rendered":"Did lower back injuries drive the commandant\u2019s decision on planks?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The top Marine\u2019s decision to authorize planks on the Corps\u2019 annual fitness test may have been born out of a visit he made to a 3d Raider Battalion<\/a> training facility in May 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the visit to the commando unit at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Gen. Robert B. Neller was briefed by human performance specialists on the high rate of lower back pain across the base. Staff told Neller the issue could be prevented with a better core stabilization exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to a white paper sent to Neller, and obtained by Marine Corps Times, lower back pain was the \u201cleading\u201d musculoskeletal diagnosis \u201ctreated by all physical therapy and sports medicine clinics across Camp Lejeune\u201d between June 2017 and June 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The paper, which included details of Neller\u2019s visit and a preliminary study on planks, was written following Neller\u2019s discussions with staff at the Raider human performance center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emilie Schmidt, a physical therapist with 3d Raider Battalion, recommended to the commandant that the Corps swap out crunches for the plank on the PFT, as evidence showed that the crunch was contributing to lower back pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\t