Physical Challenges Associated with Deployment-Related Injuries
Abstract
The health and physical fitness of US military forces are critical components of operational readiness. Service members who fail physical readiness and body composition standards may be at risk of discharge from the military. The aim of this study was to examine changes in physical readiness and body mass index (BMI) in US Navy service members with deployment-related injury. All aspects of postinjury Physical Readiness Test (PRT) performances declined from preinjury levels. Moderate to severe injury severity was a significant predictor of subsequent decline in overall PRT performance (F = 19.9, df = 1, p < .001). In addition, mean postinjury BMI (M = 27.4, SD = 3.4) was significantly higher than mean preinjury BMI (F = 79.0, df = 1, p < .001; M = 26.1, SD = 2.9). A decline in overall PRT performance was significantly associated with military discharge (X2 = 4.6, df = 1, p = .032). Changes in BMI, however, were not associated with vocational outcomes. Overall, severity of deployment-related injury was associated with poor physical fitness after injury. Future research is needed to identify risk factors associated with these changes in injured combat veterans and should include a deployed, noninjured control group.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 06, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA627655
Entities
People
- Amber L. Dougherty
- Andrew J. MacGregor
- Kevin J. Heltemes
- Michael R. Galarneau
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center