Musculoskeletal and Medical Morbidity Associated with Rigorous Physical Training

Abstract

The distribution and rates of medical conditions and musculoskeletal injuries suffered during training by U.S. Navy SEAL Special Forces trainees were described in a prospective, descriptive epidemiological study. We studied consecutive classes of candidates undergoing the physically-demanding 25-week Navy Special Warfare indoctrination training during Spring 1991 in Coronado, CA. Healthy males, ages 19 to 31, contributed 482 trainee-months at risk. Combined medical conditions and musculoskeletal injuries occurred at a rate of 61.4 cases per 100 trainee-months at risk. Visits were nearly evenly split between medical conditions (31.7 cases/100 trainee-months) and musculoskeletal injuries (29.7 cases/100 trainee-months). Respiratory complaints accounted for almost half (14. 7 cases/100 trainee-months) of the medical conditions, while overuse injuries (primarily iliotibial band syndrome, patellofemoral syndrome, and stress fracture) accounted for 90% of the musculoskeletal injuries. physical fitness, Injury, Epidemiology, Military, U.S. Navy, SEALS, Overuse injury, Physical training, Respiratory.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1992
Accession Number
ADA279547

Entities

People

  • Bruce Thomas
  • Chrisanna W. Johnson
  • Jerry M. Linenger
  • Scott Flinn

Organizations

  • Naval Health Research Center

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Bone Fractures
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Ear
  • Ear Diseases
  • Health Services
  • Leg Injuries
  • Medical Personnel
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases
  • Seal Teams
  • Trainees
  • Wounds And Injuries

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Critical Infrastructure Protection in CBRN and WMD Threats.
  • Educational Psychology
  • Psychometric Testing or Psychological Assessment.