A Second Investigation of Injuries Among Officers Attending the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, during Academic Year 2000
Abstract
An epidemiological consultation (EPICON) was conducted to determine injury rates and causes of injuries among senior Army officers attending the U.S. Army War College (AWC) during Academic Year 2000 (AY00). A retrospective review of medical records was carried out and records were obtained on 228 of the 264 U.S. military students (86%). There were 623 visits to medical care providers with 52% of these for injury. There were 145 new injury cases (first visit for an injury) during the 10-month period making the injury rate 6.4 injuries /100 student months. The cumulative injury incidence (students with one or more injuries) during AY00 was 44%. This incidence was lower than the 56% incidence found in AY99 (p <0.01, risk ratio (AY99/AY00) = 1.3, 95% confidence interval =1.1 to 1.5). Sport activity was associated with 40% of injuries in AY99 and 44% in AY00 (in AY99 47% of injuries were not linked to an activity, but in AY00 only 40% were not linked). Sport-specific percentages were as follows (AY99/AY00): softball 17%/16%, basketball 10%/8%, running 4%/5%, volleyball 4%/3%, and other sports 6%/10%. It is not clear why overall injury rates were lower in AY00, but there was command emphasis on injury reduction and injury control instruction and classes provided to students. Recommendations for on-going injury reduction include: 1) continue command emphasis on injury reduction; 2) continue instruction on injury control techniques, especially task-specific warm-up and sports-specific injury prevention; 3) for softball, emphasize the practice of allowing overrunning bases or use breakaway or compressive bases; 4) for volleyball, prohibit contact with the centerline at any time, provide training on blocking and spiking techniques, and assure continued play on wooden floors; 5) encourage the use of semi-rigid ankle braces to prevent ankle sprains, especially among those that have bad prior ankle sprains; 6) reduce the number of practice sessions and games in sports activic
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA386449
Entities
People
- E. Hoedebecke
- J. J. Knapik
- M. Canham-chervak
- R. Mccollam
- S. Arnold
- T. S. Duvernoy
Organizations
- United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine