The Physical Training and Rehabilitation Program: Duration of Rehabilitation and Final Outcome of Injuries in Basic Combat Training

During calendar year 1998, 6% (N = 2,010: men [m] = 670, 3%, women [w] = 1,340, 12%) of soldiers in basic combat training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina (N = 32,251), were unable to continue training as a result of a training-related injury. These soldiers were recommended for the Physical Training and Rehabilitation Program (PTRP) for recovery and rehabilitation. Forty-two percent of recommended soldiers were discharged from the Army rather than assigned to PTRP. The 1,164 (m = 356, w = 808) soldiers assigned to PTRP sustained 1,673 injuries (m = 444, w = 1229). Eighty-three percent of the injuries in PTRP were in the overuse (44%) and stress fracture (39%) categories. Of the 1,164 soldiers assigned to PTRP, 52% (m = 214, w = 386) returned to training. The average (+/- SD) length of stay in PTRP for soldiers returning to duty was 62 +/- 42 days (m = 57 +/- 39, w = 65 +/- 43). Rehabilitation challenges and significant motivational issues presumably contributed to the 52% return to duty incidence for PTRP soldiers.