SARAH DOBSON AND VERONIQUE HAUSCHILD
U.S. Army Public Health Center
Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland

In the last year, more than half of all Soldiers were diagnosed with an injury. Those injured are usually treated through outpatient visits, but they may be severely limited in their ability to perform certain physical activities for weeks or months. In some cases, injuries even result in medical discharges from the Army.

Two-thirds of Soldier injuries are musculoskeletal damage to a lower-extremity (e.g., knees, ankles, lower legs and feet). Most are common cumulative conditions called overuse injuries. Overuse injuries occur over several hours, weeks or months from repeated low-intensity forces to muscles, bones, joints, tendons and ligaments. Common overuse injuries include knee pain syndrome and chondromalacia (“runner’s knee”), Achilles tendinitis, low back pain and stress fractures.

Overuse injuries are the most frequent injury problem within the Army, costing billions in medical care and lost duty time. These injuries result from the substantial load bearing (i.e., on-foot) physical training conducted by Soldiers.

“Running is the primary activity that contributes to the injury problem among Army recruits and Soldiers,” said Tyson Grier, a kinesiologist in the Injury Prevention Division of the Army Public Health Center. “Other activities such as foot marching further add to the stress on the lower body, increasing injury risk.”

So is running bad for you? The simple answer is no. Running is an effective way to improve aerobic fitness; and being aerobically fit has proven to reduce one’s risk of injury. For example, recent data show that Soldiers who have slow two-mile run times (e.g., men who take more than 15½ minutes and women who take over 19 minutes) have a higher risk of injury. Even Soldiers who look fit and are within body fat standards have a higher injury risk if they run slow.

Although scientific studies have determined excessive running can increase injury risk, the right amount of running is still an effective way to improve and maintain aerobic fitness and resilience against injury. The key is finding the right balance. To reduce your risk of overuse injury:
 

• Mix up your training. Follow a training regimen that balances running with other aerobic exercises (swimming, biking, stationary elliptical or bike machines), strength training (resistance bands, plyometric or weight training), speed and agility (shuttle runs) and balance work.


• Avoid running on repeated days. Alternate with low-impact exercises.


• Use running shoes in good condition. Most people only need a comfortable, non-worn running shoe that fits. “As general guidance, replace running shoes every 300-500 miles or if any part of the sole starts to wear" Grier said. Evidence has not supported the value of special running shoes (control, arch, cushion or minimalist).


• Take a load off your feet. Ruck marching should not be used as an alternative to running. Carrying a heavy load a long distance contributes to lower extremity injury. Avoid long runs and distance marches on back-to-back days.


• Pay attention to pain. Pain, especially in a joint (knees, ankles, hips) or bones (shins, feet) can mean you are increasing distance or frequency too quickly. If this is the case, the first step is to reduce running or consider an alternative exercise. If the pain persists, seek medical evaluation.

Other training and sports injuries
Soldiers also experience serious acute injuries such as head concussions, cracked teeth, broken limbs, sprained joints and torn ligaments when participating in sports. These sports injuries have required more medical evacuations from deployment than combat injuries.

A critical aspect of injury prevention is being aware of personal factors that increase your chance of being injured. Factors to be aware of are:
 

• A previous injury makes you more prone to re-injury to the same part of the body.


• Continued use exacerbates tissue damage and can increase the severity of an injury.


• Female Soldiers have a higher risk for stress fracture injuries, so they should ensure optimal bone health through proper nutrition and a healthy weight.


• Being overweight or underweight (compared to a healthy BMI between 18.5 and 25) increases your injury risk.


• Smoking and drug or alcohol use can slow bone and tissue healing and increases injury risk.

Soldiers who prevent common injuries improve their performance and overall unit readiness. Consider changing your training regimen or behaviors to reduce your risk!

FYI

For additional information, email the APHC Injury Prevention Division at usarmy.apg.medcom-phc.mbx.injuryprevention@mail.mil or go to the APHC injury prevention webpage at http://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/discond/ptsaip/Pages/default.aspx.