[Sport-related injuries and conditions among French military personnel]

Abstract

Introduction: Physical and military training is an essential component of training in the armed forces. Although there is considerable evidence for the health benefits of training, the negative impacts cannot be ignored. A study was conducted to determine the frequency of sport-related injuries and conditions in the French armed forces in 2011.

Materials and method: To cover the cost of treating injuries and conditions related to military service, medical officers report all accidents to the Caisse Nationale Militaire de Sécurité Sociale. Based on this evidence, the following information was collected: type of sport, age, sex, length of service, service branch and type of lesion.

Results: 8,157 injuries and conditions were reported in the first six months of 2011, giving an incidence rate of 4.472 per 100,000 person-years. An army soldier was found to be 2.1 times more likely to suffer an injury than a member of the navy. The study also found that men were more likely to be injured, except during the first four months of service. Running was the most common cause of exercise-related injury (21.5%). Traumas accounted for 92% of all conditions, diseases for 3%, and overuse injuries for 3%. Lower limb injuries were the most common problem (63%), with a majority of ankle lesions, followed by knee lesions. The frequency of musculoskeletal lesions was 75%.

Discussion: A new approach to exercise has been developed to reduce the frequency of sport-related injuries and conditions.