Injuries sustained by recruits during basic training in Irish Army

The incidence of recruit injuries during basic training in the Irish Army is, to date undocumented. In this retrospective cohort study, the medical records of 415 recruits are examined. The lower limb predominated as the anatomical site of the majority of injuries. The overall incidence of male 'first time' injuries was 56.96 per 1000 man-week training. The corresponding female figure was 99.26. Female recruits lost an average of 8.2 days per injury, while the male figure was 5.69 days. The injured female recruit was also more likely to sustain a further injury than her male colleague. Risk factors and possible prevention strategies are discussed.