US Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps Cadets' Knowledge of Exercise-related Musculoskeletal Injuries

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Military Health
• Injury Prevention

Background:

• Musculoskeletal injuries pose a significant threat to military readiness and incur high treatment costs.
• Effective injury prevention is crucial for maximizing human performance and military success.
• Current knowledge gaps exist regarding injury prevention among US Army personnel, particularly military leaders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the injury prevention knowledge of US Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadets.
• To identify specific knowledge gaps in risk factors and prevention strategies for musculoskeletal injuries.
• To understand cadets' perceptions of leadership support and preferences for future injury prevention education.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 114 cadets from two university ROTC programs.
• Cadets completed a questionnaire assessing knowledge of injury risk factors and prevention strategies.
• The survey also evaluated perceptions of leadership and educational delivery preferences.

Main Results:

• Cadets demonstrated over 10% incorrect responses on factors impacting injury risk, excluding dehydration and prior injury.
• Participants generally held positive views regarding their leadership's interest in injury prevention.
• A majority (74%) preferred electronic delivery for educational materials on injury prevention.

Conclusions:

• Targeted injury prevention education is essential for US Army ROTC cadets to address identified knowledge gaps.
• Future officer training represents a critical window for implementing and improving injury prevention strategies.
• Research and leadership focus on military personnel's injury prevention knowledge are priorities for enhancing readiness.