Quantification of Physical Activity During Basic Combat Training and Associated Injuries
Abstract
Musculoskeletal injuries are common among recruits in Basic Combat Training (BCT) and have been systematically investigated for over 35 years. Studies have identified factors that put recruits at risk of injury and these have included female gender, older age, high and low body mass index (BMI), low initial physical fitness, prior physical inactivity, cigarette smoking, prior injuries and menstrual irregularities, the summer season and higher level of ambulatory activity. In BCT, interventions that have been demonstrated to reduce or moderate the consequences of injuries have included modifications in physical training, preconditioning of recruits, moving medical assets closer to recruits, the use of sock systems and antiperspirants to reduce foot blisters and the use of mouth guards for the reduction of orofacial injuries. These and other efforts have led to a decline in BCT injuries over time, but injury incidence is still relatively high. The most recent study conducted in 2010-2011 at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, showed that 25% of men and 49% of women experienced one or more injuries during training.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 31, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA610831
Entities
People
- Bruce E Cohen
- Jan Redmond
- Joseph J Knapik
- Kathleen Simpson
- Marilyn Sharp
- Ryan Steelman
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine