An Epidemiologic Study of the Association Between Patterns of Physical Training and Musculoskeletal Injuries.
Abstract
This study identified rates of diagnosis-specific musculoskeletal injuries in United States Marine Corps (USMC) recruits, and examined the association between patterns of physical training and these injuries. Subjects were 1,296 randomly selected USMC male recruits, ages 17 to 28 years, who reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego for boot camp training between January 12 and September 14, 1993. Recruits were followed prospectively through 12 weeks of training for injury outcomes. Weekly volumes and types of vigorous physical training were correlated with injury patterns. The overall injury rate was 39.6%, with 82% of injuries occurring in the lower extremities. Overuse injuries accounted for 78% of the diagnoses. The most frequent site of injury was the ankle/foot region (34.3% injuries), followed by the knee (28.1%). Ankle sprains (6.2%, n = 1,143), iliotibial band syndrome (5.3%, n = 1,143), and stress fractures (4.0%, n= 1,296) were the most common diagnoses. The highest rates of injury were reported during the first 3 weeks of training and during weeks 8,10, and 11. These weeks included high total volumes of vigorous physical training and the greatest number of hours of running and military marching.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA378312
Entities
People
- Karen M. Williams
- Richard S. Shaffer
- Sandra A. Almeida
- Stephanie K. Brodine
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center