An Investigation Of Injuries Among Officers Attending The US Army War College During Academic Year 1999.
Abstract
An epidemiological consultation (EPIC ON) was conducted to determine injury rates and causes of injuries among senior Army officers attending the US Army War College (AWC) during Academic Year 1999 (AY99). A retrospective review of the medical records was conducted and records obtained on 230 of the 249 US military students (92%). There were 636 visits to medical care providers during AY99 with 51% of these for injury. There were 169 new injury cases (first visit for an injury) during the 1%month period making the crude rate 7.3 injuries /100 student-months. Thirty-nine percent of new injury visits were classified as ovemse, 59% were classified traumatic, and 2% were classified environmental (cold injury and insect bites). Upper body and lower body injuries accounted for 36% and 62 %, respectively of all new injuries. The cumulative injury incidence (students with one or more injuries) during AY99 was 56%. This incidence was twice as high as the 28 % incidence found in Academic Year 1992 (p <0.01, 95% confidence interval =1.6 to 2.6). In AY99, sport-related activity accounted for over 40% of all new injury cases (68/169) with sport-specific percentages as follows: softball 17%, basketball 10%, volleyball 4%, running 4%, other sports 6%. In 47% of cases no activity was listed in association with the injury. Students with an ankle sprain in the 5 years prior to the AWC were more likely to suffer another ankle sprain compared to students who did not have a prior sprain (p=0.02). Recommendations for injury reduction included: (1) task-specific warm up for sports; (2) ankle for students with prior ankle orthoses sprains; (3) classes on injury control techniques; (4) use of breakaway or compressive bases for softball; (5) field maintenance to reduce the number of holes and rough spots in softball play areas;(6) padding of poles, backstops, field walls, and other objects players are likely to contact.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA371486
Entities
People
- E. Hoedebecke
- J. J. Knapik
- M. L. Canham-chervak
- R. Mccollam
- S. Craig
Organizations
- United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine