Elsevier

Preventive Medicine

Volume 28, Issue 2, February 1999, Pages 167-173
Preventive Medicine

Regular Article
Injuries and Risk Factors in a 100-Mile (161-km) Infantry Road March,☆☆

https://doi.org/10.1006/pmed.1998.0396Get rights and content

Abstract

Background.Light infantry soldiers (N= 218) completed a 161-km cross-country march over 5 days carrying an average ± SD load mass (i.e., the weight of all equipment and clothing) of 47 ± 5 kg.

Methods.Prior to the march, height, weight, body fat, and physical fitness (3.2-km run, sit-ups, push-ups) were measured. Soldiers completed a demographic questionnaire which included questions on age and tobacco use history.

Results.Thirty-six percent (78/218) of the soldiers suffered one or more injuries. Of the total injuries, 48% presented were blisters and 18% were foot pain (not otherwise specified). Eight percent (17/218) of the soldiers were unable to complete the march because of injuries. Thirty-five percent (27/78) of the injured soldiers had 1 or more limited duty days for a total of 69 days. Risk of injury was higher among smokers (risk ratio = 1.8,P= 0.03 compared to nonsmokers) and lower among older soldiers (risk ratio = 3.2,P= 0.02, <20 years compared to >24 years).

Conclusions.Carrying heavy loads over long distances can result in a high injury incidence to the lower body, since 36% of soldiers were injured during the 161-km march. Smoking and younger age (<20 years) were independent risk factors for injuries.

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    We thank the infantry soldiers and unit leaders at Fort Ord, California, for their cooperation and support. We acknowledge Dr. Phillip Lavin, Boston Biostatistics, Framingham, Massachusetts, for his significant contributions to the analysis of these data. We thank Ms. Kathleen Cowan for her help in data entry and Mrs. Ann Simpson for editing the document.

    ☆☆

    Marriot, B, MGumstrup-Scott, J

    1

    To whom correspondence and reprint requests should be addressed. Fax: (508) 233-4195.

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