Role of gymnastics in the Army School of Physical Training.
BACKGROUND
As a result of a single spinal injury seen at Frimley Park Hospital, we reviewed the injuries recorded at the Army School of Physical Training since December 1996.


METHODS
This was a retrospective review of all acute accidents and injuries recorded in the Accident Book since its inception.


RESULTS
Over 75% of the injuries that were serious enough to result in soldiers having their training terminated were as a direct result of gymnastic events such as vaulting, trampolining and somersaults. These events were also responsible for most of the small number of career-threatening injuries.


CONCLUSIONS
This raises questions about the inclusion of gymnastic events in course training programmes, especially when considering its relevance to army training in general.
Griffiths
D E
DE
Department of Orthopaedics, Frimley Park Hospital, Camberley, Surrey, UK. dylgrif@hotmail.com
Hargrove
R
R
Clasper
J
J
D006173:Gymnastics / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology