Trends of stress fracture prevalence among Israel Defense Forces basic trainees

Stress fractures (SFs) are a common type of overuse injury encountered in training soldiers. High rates of SF may cause a tremendous negative effect on the military unit capability to perform its missions. In this study, we reviewed the medical registry of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers assigned to combat basic training programs between the years 1998 and 2007. SF rates among IDF combat basic trainees were as high as 20% in several companies during the first years of the study. Amendments in training programs were targeted to fit the different capability and the qualifications required from combat soldiers. As a result, a steady decline of SF rates was observed, with a yearly average of 5% in the later years of the study. Increasing awareness of both medical and commanding personnel to SF and their prevention led to the gradual decline in their frequency observed in IDF basic training programs during recent years.