Affiliations: Army Research Laboratory, Human Research &
Engineering Directorate, Army Medical Department Center & School Field
Element, Ft. Sam Houston, TX, USA | Evaluation and Education Excellence, College of
Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA | Army Central Registry, Behavioral Health Division,
Health Policy and Services, Headquarters US Army Medical Command, Ft. Sam
Houston, TX, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Valerie J. Berg Rice, Army Research
Laboratory, Human Research & Engineering Directorate, Army Medical
Department Center & School Field Element, 2421 FSH-Hood street, Trailer
E, Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA. Tel.: +1 210 221 2635; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: It is important to be aware of the health and injury status of
students in military training settings in order to adequately plan for their
progression through required physical training and provision of health care to
meet their needs. This paper describes the self-reported health status of
students arriving in two medical training Battalions at Ft. Sam Houston. The
results revealed that 43% of arriving soldiers had musculoskeletal symptoms
and 35% had symptoms that interfered with their ability to accomplish the
normal daily activities required as students. The most common sites of symptoms
were knee (17 and 18%), foot/toe (16 and 13%), ankle (9 and 10%), and
lower leg (9 and 12%) for the 232nd and 187th Medical
Battalions respectively. Risk factors for those with musculoskeletal injury
(MSI) symptoms that interfere with their abilities to do their jobs include
gender, past history of injury, and self-reported stress and fitness levels.
Other risk factors for medical specialties other than combat medic include
being older (over 24 yrs of age), active duty status, being overweight, and use
of smokeless tobacco. This information can help identify soldiers considered at
risk of incurring a MSI during AIT. With this knowledge, physical training can
be designed to help soldiers achieve fitness without additional injury and
health care facilities can be designed to provide appropriate staffing of the
health care professionals needed for evaluation and treatment.
