title: The interaction between military education and health: a survey among conscripts undergoing officer training in Norway.
abstract: An increasing number of soldiers are unable to finish their military training because of health problems. In the summer of 1999, 236 (96%) of 246 officer training school applicants in Harstad, Northern Norway, were enrolled in the survey. Those selected for military education estimated their physical condition better (p < 0.02), participated in athletic sport more frequently (p < 0.05), and smoked four times less (p < 0.001) than those who were dismissed. Thirty-nine percent of those accepted for further military education went to see the doctor during the 3-week introductory period compared with 20% among those who were dismissed (p < 0.002). The overall consultation rate in the introductory period was 52.5 per 100 cadet months. During the rest of the education, the consultation rate dropped significantly to 43.1 (p < 0.02). The magnitude of health-related problems during military education is a concern from a medical point of view and can, at least in part, be attributed to the level of physical activity of the military education.
authors.affiliation: Land Command North Norway, Harstad. arne_norheim@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Arne Johan
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Norheim
authors.forename: Dag Harald
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Skutlaberg
authors.forename: Jens Harald
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Holmboe
authors.forename: Håvard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Olsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000193:education*; D009664:Norway; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires