Guidelines for Developing a Physical Training Program for U.S. Navy Recruits

摘要

Musculoskeletal injuries result in patient morbidity, increased training costs,and reduced operational readiness in military training populations. Recruits at Naval Training Center (NTC), Great Lakes, are at risk for exercise-related musculoskeletal injuries due to the sudden increases in vigorous physical activity associated with boot camp training. The objective of this research was to evaluate the physical training schedule at NTC, Great Lakes, and to develop a recruit physical conditioning program that would minimize musculoskeletal injuries and promote long-term fitness practices. Study Phases 1 and 2 included data collection to determine NTC recruit injury rates, pretraining and posttraining fitness levels, and patterns of training-related physical activity. A physical conditioning program was then developed targeting the training needs identified during study Phases 1 and 2. The program included exercises for cardiovascular endurance, muscle conditioning, and flexibility. All exercise techniques were modifiable for land-based shipboard environments and required no special equipment. We concluded that a needs-specific physical conditioning program based on scientific principles and epidemiologic data can be developed to maximize fitness gains and minimize exercise-related injuries in NTC recruits. This fitness program can be taught during boot camp to promote long-term fitness practices in U.S. Navy personnel.