Lower Extremity Disorders among Men and Women in Army Basic Training and Effects of Two Types of Boots
Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the nature and the frequency of lower extremity disorders incurred by men and women undergoing Army basic training and to analyze the differential effects of two types of combat boots on lower extremity disorders. The feet and lower legs of 2,074 men and 767 women were examined by medical personnel prior to the initiation of training and on three other occasions over the eight weeks of training. The data from these examinations were augmented by the diagnoses and case dispositions associated with sick call visits for lower extremity problems. It was found that the rates of occurrence of blisters and lace lesions were higher among the test participants who wore hot weather boots than among those who wore black leather boots. Of 27 types of lower extremity disorders diagnosed among the participants, two were incurred only by men and two only by women. The remaining disorders were identified in both sexes and statistical analyses revealed that 12 of these disorders were experienced by a significantly higher proportion of women than men. None of the disorders diagnosed in both sexes were incurred by a significantly higher proportion of men than women. The number of sick call visits and duty restrictions for lower extremity problems were also analyzed as a function of gender and boot type.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA133002
Entities
People
- Carolyn K. Bensel
- Robert N. Kish
Organizations
- United States Army Soldier Systems Center