PROFILES OF EXERCISE HISTORY AND OVERUSE INJURIES AMONG UNITED-STATES-NAVY SEA, AIR, AND LAND (SEAL) RECRUITS

This prospective study examined running history as a risk factor for s ubsequent overuse injury in Navy Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) recruits. R ecruits preparing to be Navy SEALs undergo 6 months of rigorous physic al training programs, which place these recruits at high risk for deve loping an overuse injury. We assessed the independent variables of age ; prior running frequency, duration, and pace; and training surface. U nivariate and multivariate estimates of risk were determined for each variable. We observed an incidence of 3.4 overuse injuries per 1000 re cruit-days. Assessing the physical activity of the recruits in the 6 m onths before entrance into basic training, we found that the recruits who ran at a pace slower than 8 minutes per mile and on softer trainin g surfaces were more likely to sustain an overuse injury during basic training, in both univariate and multivariate estimates of risk. Recru its who ran fewer weekly miles and for shorter durations before basic training were also more likely to sustain an overuse injury according to univariate estimates of risk. Our findings suggest that risk of ove ruse injuries can be reduced by adjusting exercise routines before tra ining. Running on different type surfaces with a gradual increase in s peed, duration, and weekly mileage in the period preceding basic train ing may reduce risk of overuse injury.