Accession Number:

ADA230384

Title:

Prolonged Treadmill Load Carriage: Acute Injuries and Changes in Foot Anthropometry

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. May 1988-May 1989

Corporate Author:

ARMY RESEARCH INST OF ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE NATICK MA

Personal Author(s):

• Reynolds, Katy L.
• Kaszuba, John
• Mello, Robert P.
• Patton, John F.

Report Date:

1990-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

45.0

Abstract:

The objectives of this study were to 1 determine the distribution of injuries occurring during loaded treadmill marching, 2 determine if there are significant anthropometric changes that occur in the foot during this marching, and 3 identify variables speed, load that may affect these injuries and foot changes. This study documented a large number of minor injuries N equals 82 among physically fit soldiers marching on a treadmill at fast speeds and over a long distance with heavy loads. Significant pre to post foot anthropometric changes P less than .05 were observed in ball of foot and instep circumferences with a tendency for these changes to occur with the heavier loads while ankle circumference changes occurred throughout most of the conditions. The results of this study indicate that 1 load carriage injuries occurring during a prolonged treadmill march primarily involve the lower extremities and back, 2 foot blisters were the most common injury recorded, 3 the standard Army practice of using foot powder and undergoing frequent sock changes does not prevent blister formation during prolonged treadmill marches, 4 the most common types of back injury was upper back straining.

Descriptors:

• *WOUNDS AND INJURIES
• *FEET
• *EXERCISE(PHYSIOLOGY)
• *TREADMILLS
• BACKPACKS

Subject Categories:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Medicine and Medical Research
• Stress Physiology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE