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Related Experiment Videos

Increasing hamstring flexibility decreases lower extremity overuse injuries in military basic trainees.

D E Hartig1, J M Henderson

  • 1Hughston Clinic, P.C., Columbus, Georgia 31908-9517, USA.

The American Journal of Sports Medicine
|April 2, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Increasing hamstring flexibility through stretching significantly reduced lower extremity overuse injuries in military trainees. This intervention offers a practical method to enhance soldier readiness and decrease injury rates during demanding training.

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Area of Science:

  • Sports Medicine
  • Military Health
  • Musculoskeletal Injuries

Background:

  • Military infantry basic training is physically demanding and associated with a high incidence of lower extremity overuse injuries.
  • Limited hamstring flexibility is a potential contributing factor to these injuries.
  • Preventive strategies are crucial for maintaining soldier health and operational readiness.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if increasing hamstring flexibility reduces lower extremity overuse injuries in military infantry basic trainees.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of a targeted hamstring stretching intervention within a standard military training program.

Main Methods:

  • An intervention study involving two military basic training companies (N=298 total).
  • The intervention group (N=150) incorporated three weekly hamstring stretching sessions into their fitness program.

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  • The control group (N=148) followed the standard training regimen.
  • Hamstring flexibility was assessed pre- and post-training, and all lower extremity overuse injuries were recorded.

    • Main Results:

    • The intervention group showed a significant increase in hamstring flexibility compared to the control group.
    • The incidence of lower extremity overuse injuries was significantly lower in the intervention group (16.7%) versus the control group (29.1%).
    • A total of 25 injuries occurred in the intervention group, compared to 43 in the control group.

    Conclusions:

    • Increased hamstring flexibility, achieved through a structured stretching program, significantly reduces lower extremity overuse injuries in military infantry basic trainees.
    • This intervention is a viable and effective method for injury prevention in this population.
    • Enhancing flexibility should be considered a key component of military physical training to improve trainee health and performance.