4, 24, 29 The decreased level of fitness of the incoming recruit mimics the decreased fitness and increased obesity evident in our population as a whole.

25 – 28 Low fitness levels and higher MSI rates are known to be associated. The Army today is focusing on the lower overall fitness levels of incoming recruits and how these affect MSI rates. 21 – 23 Some of these prevention programs are still new, whereas others have shown positive effects on the IET soldier MSI rate. Therefore, MSI prevention efforts improve the readiness of the force while decreasing overall medical expenditures and training costs.Įfforts to decrease the MSI rate in IET soldiers include revisions of the Army Physical Readiness Training Plan (exercise regimen), 8 assessment of footwear, 12 – 15 improved nutrition, 4, 7, 16 changes in military equipment, 14, 17, 18 increased sleep, 7, 19, 20 and modification to the program of instruction (POI). The large number of lost training hours and the additional cadre time needed to ensure that IET soldiers receive needed musculoskeletal care are also costly results of MSIs. 6, 11 Thus, preventing MSIs during IET likely reduces the occurrence of future MSIs, improves the health and wellness of the soldier, and possibly sets the soldier up for a more successful career. Between 19% and 44% of soldiers sustain some type of MSI during IET. Given that physical activity is such an important aspect of a military career, this suggests that MSIs first incurred during IET have a protracted effect on fitness and soldier readiness and may influence long-term career success. Research 8 – 10 indicated that the best predictor of a future MSI is a previous MSI. Musculoskeletal injuries are a burden to soldiers in all military operational specialties as well as initial entry training (IET) soldiers. The Army is focusing on both preventing the initial MSI and returning the soldier to fully functional status after MSI. The new Army Performance Triad program (focusing on sleep, nutrition, and exercise), recently launched by Army Medical Command, serves as the cornerstone of these efforts. These efforts include prevention, education, and a soldier-athlete approach to soldier training and medical care. 6 The US Army currently takes a multipronged approach to address this problem and increase soldier health and wellness. 5 Physical training and recreational sports are the primary causes of these MSIs. 3, 4 An estimated 68 000 soldiers per year are unable to deploy because of non–combat-related MSIs, creating an important readiness concern for our military. 1, 2 Estimates suggest that 600 000 soldiers sustain an MSI each year, resulting in more than 2.2 million medical encounters. Musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) are the primary medical reason soldiers are unable to deploy and one of the most important factors affecting military readiness.

Basic training army tracker