Factors Predicting Training Delays and Attrition of Recruits during Basic Military Training

Abstract

Ensuring a balance between training demands and recovery during basic military training (BMT) is necessary for avoiding maladaptive training responses (e.g., illness or injury). These can lead to delays in training completion and to training attrition. Previously identified predictors of injury and attrition during BMT include demographic and performance data, which are typically collected at a single time point. The aim of this study was to determine individual risk factors for injury and training delays from a suite of measures collected across BMT. A total of 46 male and female recruits undertaking the 12-week Australian Army BMT course consented to this study. Injury, illness, attrition, and demographic data were collected across BMT. Objective measures included salivary cortisol and testosterone, step counts, cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscular endurance. Perceptions of well-being, recovery, workload, fatigue, and sleep were assessed with questionnaires. Baseline and mean scores across BMT were evaluated as predictors of injury and attrition using generalized linear regressions, while repeated-measures ANOVA was used for the group comparisons. From the 46 recruits, 36 recruits completed BMT on time; 10 were delayed in completion or discharged. Multiple risk factors for injury during BMT included higher subjective ratings of training load, fatigue, and stress, lower sleep quality, and higher cortisol concentrations. Higher ratings of depression, anxiety, and stress, and more injuries were associated with a higher risk of delayed completion. Higher concentrations of testosterone and higher levels of fitness upon entry to BMT were associated with reduced risk of injury and delayed completion of BMT. Ongoing monitoring with a suite of easily administered measures may have utility in forewarning risk of training maladaptation in recruits and may complement strategies to address previously identified demographic and performance-based risk factors to mitigate injury, training delays, and attrition.

Sleep duration and perceptions of sleep quality in British Army recruits during basic training - an observational analysis

“…Poor sleep quality due to sleep restriction is associated with higher psychological stress and maladaptive training responses during military training ( 57–59 ). For many, the psychological demand of adjusting to the basic training environment coupled with routine sleep restriction is likely to exacerbate the levels of psychological stress experienced during basic training, resulting in potentially lower mood, greater mental health-related problems, and by extension, undesirable attrition rates ( 22 , 56 , 59 , 60 ). In some recruits this was compounded through the fear of failing their morning kit inspections, and as a result, conducting military admin (e.g., ironing) late into the evening and sleeping on the floor next to their bed.…”

Impact of 12 weeks of basic military training on testosterone and cortisol responses

“…Therefore, it can be assumed that the recruit population was under considerable physical duress. This finding suggests that serial measurement of perceived stress and recovery may identify those, particularly in early weeks, who are not responding well to the training programme and may be at risk of attrition and injury 28. Subjective measures of stress and recovery represent scalable and cost-effective proxies that could be easily administered for practical, ongoing monitoring of recruits.…”

Correlation Between Functional Movement Screen Scores, Lower Limb Strength, Y-Balance Test, Grip Strength, and Vertical Jump and Incidence of Injury Due to Musculoskeletal Injury Among Abu Dhabi Police Recruits

“…The relationship between physical fitness, MSIs, and attrition rates among the recruits has been reported for US army recruits [13,14], the Netherlands Armed Forces special infantry unit [15], and Australia [16]. Attrition rates due to MSIs during training were reported to be about 5% in the US army [14] and 10% in the Australian Armed Forces [16]. However, there is a lack of similar data regarding the tactical population of the Arabian Peninsula, such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, where a sedentary lifestyle is common due to the hot and humid climate [17].…”

“…The relationship between physical fitness, MSIs, and attrition rates among the recruits has been reported for US army recruits [13,14], the Netherlands Armed Forces special infantry unit [15], and Australia [16]. Attrition rates due to MSIs during training were reported to be about 5% in the US army [14] and 10% in the Australian Armed Forces [16].…”