A prospective investigation of injury incidence and risk factors among army recruits in combat engineer training

Abstract

BackgroundUnited States Army combat engineer (ENG) training is an intense 14-week course designed to introduce new recruits to basic soldiering activities, Army values and lifestyle, and engineering skills and knowledge. The present investigation examined injury rates and injury risk factors in ENG training.MethodsAt the start of their training, 1,633 male ENG recruits were administered a questionnaire containing items on date of birth, height, weight, tobacco use, prior physical activity, and injury history. Injuries during training were obtained from electronic medical records and the training units provided data on student graduation and attrition. Risk factors were identified using Cox regression.ResultsNinety-two percent of the recruits successfully graduated from the course and 47% of the recruits experienced one or more injuries during training. Univariate Cox regression demonstrated that recruits were at higher injury risk if they reported that they were older, had a higher or lower body mass index, had smoked in the past, had performed less exercise (aerobic or muscle strength) or sports prior to ENG training, had experienced a previous time-loss lower limb injury (especially if they had not totally recovered from that injury), or had a lower educational level.ConclusionsThe present investigation was the first to identify injury rates and identify specific factors increasing injury risk during ENG training. The identified risk factors provide a basis for recommending future prevention strategies.

A Multicenter Randomized, Double-Blind, Split-Side, Comparative Study of Moisturizer Containing MAS064D and 1% Hydrocortisone Cream in the Treatment of Infantile Seborrheic Dermatitis

“…Specifically, Knapik et al [35] reported 50.7% incidence in US Infantry and 47% over fourteen weeks US combat Engineer training, but comparable with those reported by Lisman et al [36] who observed among male recruits undergoing a twelve week US Marine Corps Boot Camp (39.6%), and Kaufman et al [6] who reported 33.1% in male Naval Specialist Warfare training. All of which fall beneath the 75% incidence rate for musculoskeletal lesions found among the French military [12].…”

High Incidence of Stress Fractures in Military Cadets During Training: A Point of Concern

“…It can be also due to sudden increase in amount and intensity of physical activity along with repeated impact due to running on hard surface, improper technique and equipment [2,8].…”

Qualidade De Vida De Policiais Militares Do Interior Do Estado De São Paulo

“…As demais 24 perguntas são relativas a quatro domínios e suas respectivas facetas: Domínio I: Físico, focalizando as facetas: Dor e desconforto; Energia e fadiga; Sono e repouso; Atividades da vida cotidiana; Dependência de medicação ou de tratamentos; Capacidade de trabalho. Embora alguns profissionais que lidam com tarefas perigosas, como os policiais, afirmem que um pouco de estresse no trabalho é positivo (7) , a exposição a jornadas de trabalho extensivas e intensas e a situações estressantes, vivenciadas pelos policiais, favorecem o desenvolvimento de problemas de saúde que podem se cronificar ao longo do tempo, se não receberem atenção especial (8) . Nesse sentido, destaca-se que o sofrimento humano é intrínseco aos processos de trabalho.…”