Effects of personal and occupational stress on injuries in a young, physically active population: a survey of military personnel.
The aim of this study was to document risk factors for any injury and sports- and exercise-related injuries, including personal and occupational stress among active duty service members (SMs) in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. A total of 10,692 SMs completed the April 2008 Status of Forces Survey of Active Duty Members. The survey asked about demographics, personal stress and occupational stress, injuries from any cause, and participation in sports- and exercise- related activities in the past year. The survey used a complex sampling procedure to create a representative sample of SMs. Logistic regression was used to examine the associations of injury outcomes with potential risk factors. 49% of SMs sought medical care for an injury in the past year and 25% sustained a sports- and exercise-related activities injury. Odds of injury were higher for the Army and Marine Corps than for the Air Force or Navy. This survey showed that higher personal and occupational stress was associated with higher risks of injury. SMs who experienced higher levels of personal or occupational stress reported higher risks of injuries. The effects of stress reduction programs on injury risks should be evaluated in military and other young physically active populations.
Department of Clinical Investigation, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, 5005 Piedras, El Paso, TX 79920.
Sheryl
S
Bedno
U.S. Army Public Health Command, 5158 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010.
Keith
K
Hauret
28th Medical Group, 2900 Doolittle Drive, Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD 57706.
Kelly
K
Loringer
Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Tzu-Cheg
TC
Kao
Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Timothy
T
Mallon
U.S. Army Public Health Command, 5158 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010.
Bruce
B
Jones
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult