CIGARETTE-SMOKING, PHYSICAL-FITNESS, AND INJURIES IN INFANTRY SOLDIERS

Reliable data on the impact of physical training on light infantry uni ts in terms of injuries and time loss are sparse. This study evaluated a light infantry unit (n = 181) prospectively and followed it through out one year of infantry training and operations. Fifty-five percent o f the soldiers (n = 101) experienced one or more injuries. Eighty-eigh t percent of the injuries were training-related conditions, which resu lted in 1,103 days of limited duty. Lower extremity overuse injuries w ere the most common type of injury documented. Fractures accounted for the greatest number of days of limited duty. Risk factors for trainin g-related injuries identified by this study were cigarette smoking, hi gh percentage of body fat; extremely high or low body mass index, low endurance levels, and low muscular endurance levels (sit-ups). Logisti c regression showed that cigarette smoking and low endurance levels we re independent risk factors for training injuries. These data indicate that the incidence of training-related injuries in infantry units is high. A number of modifiable injury risk factors were identified, sugg esting that many of these injuries may be preventable.