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Stress fractures-a prospective study amongst recruits
1Ex-Senior Advisor (Surgery), Command Hospital (SC), Pune - 40.
Medical Journal, Armed Forces India
|March 27, 2014
Summary
Stress fractures (SF) are common in military recruits, affecting 7.04% during training. Factors like urban living and vegetarianism increase risk, highlighting the need for preventative strategies and prioritizing physically active individuals during recruitment.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Military Health
Background:
- Stress fractures (SF) are a leading cause of lost training days in military recruits.
- Understanding SF incidence and risk factors is crucial for maintaining military readiness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish baseline data on the incidence of stress fractures in military recruits.
- To identify variables associated with stress fracture development during training.
Main Methods:
- A 5-year prospective study (2004-2009) involving 8,570 military recruits.
- Monitoring recruits from the commencement of their training to determine SF incidence and patterns.
Main Results:
- 604 recruits (7.04%) sustained stress fractures during the study period.
- The tibia was the most commonly affected bone, with most fractures occurring during basic training.
- Urban residence, vegetarianism, and lack of prior physical activity were associated with increased SF risk.
Conclusions:
- Preventative measures are essential for managing stress fractures and other training-related injuries.
- Prioritizing recruits with a background in sports and physical activity may reduce SF incidence.
- Gradually increasing training intensity over the initial 12 weeks can mitigate SF risk.
