Title | The Eagle Tactical Athlete Program Reduces Musculoskeletal Injuries in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2016 |
Authors | Sell TC, Abt JP, Nagai T, Deluzio JB, Lovalekar M, Wirt MD, Lephart SM |
Journal | Mil Med |
Volume | 181 |
Issue | 3 |
Pagination | 250-7 |
Date Published | 2016 Mar |
ISSN | 1930-613X |
Keywords | Exercise, Female, Humans, Male, Military Personnel, Musculoskeletal System, Physical Education and Training, Physical Fitness, United States, Wounds and Injuries |
Abstract | UNLABELLED: The Eagle Tactical Athlete Program (ETAP) was scientifically developed for the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) to counter unintentional musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs). PURPOSE: To determine if ETAP would reduce unintentional MSIs in a group of 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Soldiers. METHODS: ETAP-trained noncommissioned led physical training. 1,720 Soldiers were enrolled (N = 1,136 experimental group [EXP], N = 584 control group [CON]) with injuries tracked before and after initiation of ETAP. The International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes were analyzed and described the anatomic locations, anatomic sub-locations, onset, and injury types. McNemar tests compared the proportions of injured subjects within each group. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in the proportion of Soldiers with preventable MSIs in the EXP (pre: 213/1,136 (18.8%), post: 180/1,136 (15.8%), p = 0.041) but not in the CON. In addition, there was a significant reduction in stress fractures in the EXP (pre: 14/1,136 (1.2%), post: 5/1,136 (0.4%), p = 0.022) but no significant differences in the CON. CONCLUSION: The current analysis demonstrated that ETAP reduces preventable MSIs in garrison. The capability of ETAP to reduce injuries confirms the vital role of a scientifically designed training program on force readiness and health. |
DOI | 10.7205/MILMED-D-14-00674 |
Alternate Journal | Mil Med |
PubMed ID | 26926750 |