Predictors of Stress Fracture Susceptibility in Young Female Recruits

Abstract

We explored pretraining characteristics that may identify women at increased risk of stress fractures during boot camp. Data collected included performance on a timed run, anthropomorphic measurements, and a baseline questionnaire highlighting exercise and health habits among 2962 women undergoing basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), Parris Island, in 1995-96. One hundred and fifty-two recruits (5.1%) had 181 confirmed lower extremity stress fractures, with the most common sites being the tibia (25%), metatarsals (22%), pelvis (22%), and femur (20%). Logistic regression models revealed that low physical fitness (a slower time on the initial run test) and no menses during the past year were significantly associated with the occurrence of stress fractures during boot camp. These findings suggest that stress fractures may be reduced if women entering MCRD training participated in pretraining activities designed to improve aerobic fitness. Women reporting no menses during the previous year may need additional observation during training.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 02, 2004
Accession Number
ADA452677

Entities

People

  • Caroline A. MacEra
  • Dan W. Trone
  • Mitchell Rauh
  • Richard A. Shaffer
  • Stephanie K. Brodine

Organizations

  • Naval Health Research Center

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Basic Training
  • Bone Fractures
  • Contraception
  • Health
  • Institutional Review Board
  • Intervals
  • Leg Bones
  • Lower Extremity
  • Marine Corps
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Training
  • Physical Fitness
  • Public Health
  • Risk Factors
  • Standards
  • Students

Readers

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  • Trauma Surgery or Emergency Medicine.
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