Injury Incidence, Injury Risk Factors, and Physical Fitness of U.S. Army Basic Trainees at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina

Abstract : An epidemiological consultation was requested by the Commander, U.S. Army Training Center, Ft. Jackson SC, to assist in the establishment of an Army Center of Excellence for the Study of Training-Related Injuries. A preliminary investigation of basic trainees was conducted to determine injury incidence, risk factors for injuries, physical fitness, and directions for a more comprehensive investigation. Data obtained on a battalion of basic trainees (n=799) included information from medical records, platoon manning rosters, Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) scores, discharge packets, and newstart rosters. Cumulative injury incidence (one or more visits to a health care provider for overuse or traumatic events) was 15.4% for men and 38.0% for women.