Time trends in characteristics of US Αrmy Βasic Τrainees: A descriptive analysis to support identification of risk factors for training-related injuries

Background/Purpose: Injuries during basic combat training (BCT) have a substantial impact on the well-being and mission-readiness of trainees in the US Army. Demographic and training characteristics including BCT times and locations are hypothesized to be associated with risk of injury during physical training, a large component of BCT. However, no Army-wide analysis to describe individual and training-related characteristics of basic trainees has been completed to date. This analysis will describe recent trends.

Methods: This descriptive analysis is part of a record-based cohort study and economic assessment using the Total Army Injury and Health Outcomes Database (TAIHOD). TAIHOD links data from several administrative systems, including personnel and medical encounter data from military and civilian treatment facilities. The study population is all new Active Duty Army trainees entering BCT between January 1, 2002 and September 30, 2007, approximately 300,000.

Results/Outcomes: Trends over time in trainee demographic and training characteristics will be described, including age, gender, body mass index, accession waivers, and BCT dates and locations.

Conclusions: Results are useful to identify risk factors and their trends for training-related injuries. These subsequently may be used to develop evidence-based interventions to reduce the health and economic burden of injuries.