Deployment Injuries and Injury Risk Factors in a Light Infantry Brigade Combat Team, May 2011-May 2012
Abstract
Army Soldiers are asked to work in difficult terrain and harsh environments while deployed, with musculoskeletal and non-battle injuries as a major, if not the most prevalent, cause of injury during deployment. Purpose: To describe physical training, injuries, and injury risk factors during deployment for Soldiers in the 2d Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. Methods: In April/May 2012, in support of the Soldier Medical Readiness Campaign, the Army Public Health Center was tasked by the Office of the Surgeon General (OTSG) to administer surveys to the 2d Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (2-4ID) in order to assess injuries throughout a deployment cycle. Surveys collected data on unit physical training (PT), personal PT, tobacco use, and injuries during deployment. Injury data included mechanisms, activities, and limited duty days associated with injury. Two multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess factors associated with injury risk. Results: In total, there were 1,959 men and 132 women surveyed. Most Soldiers were male (94%), between 26 and 30 years old (29%), and enlisted (93%). While deployed, 926 Soldiers (45%) reported participating in unit PT and 97% of Soldiers (n=2,028) reported having a personal PT program. Despite training in the Iron Horse Optimization Program prior to deployment, over 40% reported that unit PT during deployment centered on traditional PT, or training for the APFT. Though resistance training was common, with (84%) reporting participation in resistance training on their own while deployed, cross-training was not common. Nearly one-third (30%) indicated that they had been injured during deployment (30% of men, 29% of women). For those who indicated that they had been injured during their most recent deployment, 52 percent had more than one injury (52% of men, 58% of women). Lower extremities (39%), followed by upper extremities (27%), and the spine and back (19%) were the leading body areas injured.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1058116
Entities
People
- Bruce H. Jones
- Catherine Rappole
- Jason Butler
- Michelle Canham-chervak
- Morgan K. Anderson
- Ryan Steelman
- Timothy Bushman
- Tyson Grier
Organizations
- United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine