Trends of stress fracture prevalence among Israel Defense Forces basic trainees

David Itskoviz, Tal Marom, Ishay Ostfeld

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Stress fractures (SFs) are a common type of overuse injury encountered in training soldiers. High rates of SF may cause a tremendous negative effect on the military unit capability to perform its missions. In this study, we reviewed the medical registry of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers assigned to combat basic training programs between the years 1998 and 2007. SF rates among IDF combat basic trainees were as high as 20% in several companies during the fi rst years of the study. Amendments in training programs were targeted to fi t the different capability and the qualifi cations required from combat soldiers. As a result, a steady decline of SF rates was observed, with a yearly average of 5% in the later years of the study. Increasing awareness of both medical and commanding personnel to SF and their prevention led to the gradual decline in their frequency observed in IDF basic training programs during recent years. Copyright (c) Association of Military Surgeons of the US. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)56-59
Number of pages4
JournalMilitary Medicine
Volume176
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2011
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Trends of stress fracture prevalence among Israel Defense Forces basic trainees'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this