R Kunte1, D Basannar2, K Chatterjee3, P K Agarwal4, L Prasad5, P Dubey6, P R Ravi7. 1. Professor & Head, Department of Community Medicine, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune 411040, India. 2. Scientist F, Dept of Community Medicine, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune 411040, India. 3. Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine,Armed Forces Medical College, Pune 411040, India. 4. Specialist Orthopedic Surgeon, NMC Medical Centre, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. 5. Medical Officer In Charge, ECHS, Secunderabad, India. 6. Senior Medical Officer, Kochi Naval Base, Kerala, India. 7. Senior Adviser (Anaesthesia), Command Hospital (AF), Bengaluru, India.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Most studies on stress fractures in India have been carried out among recruits as against officer trainees and limited to males. With the continuous induction of women in the Armed Forces, it was decided to carry out a study among officer trainees of the three services and compare the epidemiology among genders. METHODS: A prospective study was carried out in 2011-2012 at Training Institutes of the three services where male and female cadets train together. Baseline data was collected for all trainees who joined the academy during the study period. All cadets were followed up for development of stress fractures for which details were taken. Additional information was taken from the Training Institute. RESULTS: A total of 3220 cadets (2612 male and 608 female cadets) were included in the study. Overall 276 cadets were observed to have stress fractures during training - making an incidence of 6.9% for male cadets and 15.8% for female cadets. Females were found to have a significantly higher incidence of stress fractures. Further the distribution and onset of stress fractures in females was observed to be distinct from males. CONCLUSION: The significant gender differential observed in the study indicates differential role of intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors in the causation of stress fractures among male and female. Special consideration needs to be given to these while planning and implementing measures for prevention. Further studies may be carried out on subject and on the effect of interventions in stress fracture prevention.
BACKGROUND: Most studies on stress fractures in India have been carried out among recruits as against officer trainees and limited to males. With the continuous induction of women in the Armed Forces, it was decided to carry out a study among officer trainees of the three services and compare the epidemiology among genders. METHODS: A prospective study was carried out in 2011-2012 at Training Institutes of the three services where male and female cadets train together. Baseline data was collected for all trainees who joined the academy during the study period. All cadets were followed up for development of stress fractures for which details were taken. Additional information was taken from the Training Institute. RESULTS: A total of 3220 cadets (2612 male and 608 female cadets) were included in the study. Overall 276 cadets were observed to have stress fractures during training - making an incidence of 6.9% for male cadets and 15.8% for female cadets. Females were found to have a significantly higher incidence of stress fractures. Further the distribution and onset of stress fractures in females was observed to be distinct from males. CONCLUSION: The significant gender differential observed in the study indicates differential role of intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors in the causation of stress fractures among male and female. Special consideration needs to be given to these while planning and implementing measures for prevention. Further studies may be carried out on subject and on the effect of interventions in stress fracture prevention.
Entities:
Keywords:
Prevention of stress fractures; Stress fractures in females; Stress fractures in military training
Authors: Aurelia Nattiv; Anne B Loucks; Melinda M Manore; Charlotte F Sanborn; Jorunn Sundgot-Borgen; Michelle P Warren Journal: Med Sci Sports Exerc Date: 2007-10 Impact factor: 5.411