Recorded presentation

Keith G. Hauret, MSPH, MPT, Joseph J. Knapik, ScD, Salilma Darakjy, MPH, Sara Canada, MPH, Bruce H. Jones, MD, MPH, and Michelle Canham-Chervak, MPH. USA CHPPM (ATTN: MCHB-TS-DI), Injury Prevention Program, 5158 Blackhawk Rd, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5403, (410) 436-5291, keith.hauret@apg.amedd.army.mil

Most Army recruits attend 9-week basic training (BT), but recruits for military police (MP) attend a 17-week course combining BT and job training. MP training allows slower progression of physical activity and may result in a lower injury incidence. This study determined injury incidence for BT and the first 9 weeks of MP training, and evaluated potential injury risk factors. Methods. This study involved 560 BT recruits (men: n=358; women: n=202) and 426 MP recruits who completed 9 weeks of training (men: n=305; women: n=121). Age, height, weight, gender, and diagnosis for injury-related medical visits were extracted from medical records. Military units provided race, rank, and participation in a pre-training physical fitness program (PFP) for low-fit recruits. Injury incidence was calculated for both groups. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were obtained from logistic regression models for potential injury risk factors (training type (BT and MP), age, rank, race, body mass index (BMI), and PFP). Results. Injury incidence during BT and MP training was 32.2% and 19.7% for men, and 59.9% and 56.2% for women, respectively. Independent risk factors (adjusted ORs) from the multivariate analysis were training type (BT/MP) (OR=1.54; 95% CI=1.05,2.26), older age (OR=1.08; 95% CI=1.03,1.13), and PFP (yes/no) (OR=2.94; 95% CI=1.25,6.88) among men, and higher BMI (OR=0.92; 95% CI=0.85,0.99) among women. Conclusion. Slower training progression for MPs was associated with lower injury incidence among men. Older age and lower physical fitness increased injury risk among men, but only BMI was associated with injury risk among women.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the injury incidence for Army recruits in basic training and military police recruit training.
• List the independent risk factors associated with injury risk for men and women in recruit training.
• Describe the factors that may be associated with the lower injury risk for military police recruit training.

Keywords: Occupational Injury and Death, Injury Risk

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation