Risk Factors Associated with Stress Reactions in Female Marines

Abstract

Women have a higher stress fracture rate than men in military studies, although the exact cause of this is not clear. Hyperpronation has been implicated as a potential risk factor for injury. In this prospective observational study, we measured subtalar joint range of motion in 101 women (ages 20-27 years) enrolled in Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in June 1994. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for injury in female Marine Corps officer candidates. The primary area of interest was the association between the amount of subtalar joint range of motion and stress reactions. Questionnaires were administered that explored previous physical activities, sports participation, and menstrual history. Anthropometric measurements were performed, including subtalar joint range of motion. During the 10 weeks of physical training, 11.5% of the women (N = 12) had stress reactions compared with 7% of the men (N = 10). There was no statistically significant difference in the means of subtalar joint range of motion in the stress reaction group compared with the non-stress reaction group. Differences in stress reaction rate across quartiles of subtalar joint range of motion were not significant. Those women who ran fewer miles (< or = 2.8 miles per session) before training had a higher rate of stress reactions (p < 0.04). Younger individuals (< 23 years) had a higher rate of stress reactions (p < 0.01). Women with fewer menstrual periods (< 10 per year) had a higher rate of stress reactions (p < 0.02). A narrow pelvis (< or = 26 cm) was associated with a higher rate of stress reactions (p < 0.09). We conclude that an increased subtalar joint range of motion is not a risk factor for stress reactions in women. However, further studies with a larger study population should be performed to confirm these findings.

Quadriceps Angle and Risk of Injury Among High School Cross-Country Runners

“…6,27,43,47 Several studies have not specified an excessive or large Q-value criterion but determined risk of injury by the mean difference of injured and noninjured Qangle values. 16,19,20,32,36,51,55,59,61 Similar to others, 36,51 we also found a higher mean Q-angle among injured runners than noninjured runners. However, the differences were less marked and no significant differences were found between mean Q-angle of injured boys and noninjured boys.…”

“…tive and recreational runners, 6,[34][35][36]51,59 lower extremity injuries in military training, 7,19,20,61 and overuse injuries in other sport populations. 16,37,40,52,55,56,62,64 Several factors may contribute to the differing results.…”

Evaluation of the Reliability and Validity of the Crawford Classification of Congenital Tibial Dysplasia

“…Bone Geometry (CSA, Icm, width, modulus) (Beck et al 1996;Giladi et al 1987;Milgrom et al 1988;Milgrom et al 1989) Fitness Level (Lauder et al 2000;Milgrom et al 2000;Montgomery et al 1989;Shaffer et al 1999) Menstrual Irregularity (Bennell et al 1999;Winfield et al 1997) Training Regimen (Garcia et al 1987;Popovich et al 2000;Ross 1993;Scully and Besterman 1982) Also of interest is a review by Jones et al (1994) that noted no difference in overuse injury rate per cumulative run mileage, regardless of the time frame the running occurred ( Figure 2). This suggests that the number of steps or loading cycles is a dominant factor in this type of injury and reflects the accumulation of damage with each step.…”

Female Health and Physical Fitness at the Naval Academy

“…Walter et al showed that among 1,680 runners enrolled in a cohort study, excessive risk of injury was associated with those runners who ran more than 40 miles per week (1989) . Studies on women within the military have also indicated that there is a higher risk of stress fractures among women than men (Winfield et al, 1997). Other researchers (Sundot-Borgen, 1994;Drinkwater et al .…”

“…When determining the standards of a physical fitness program, Eitelberg asserts that these factors must be taken into account to make physical fitness programs relatively egual for both men and women (1990 (Loucks & Horvath, 1985; Winfield, 1997;and Sundgot-Borgen, 1994) . Walter et al showed that among 1,680 runners enrolled in a cohort study, excessive risk of injury was associated with those runners who ran more than 40 miles per week (1989) .…”