The role of sports and exercise medicine in the military

Abstract

Background Military training is notorious for being physically intensive interspersed by limited recovery periods, culminating in a high frequency of training-related injuries. Confusion may arise when military personnel are compared to athletes in other sporting disciplines in view of different training regimes employed by the military according to the set standard of the respective army. Hence, in line with other sporting disciplines having a designated medical team of sports and exercise professionals that is experienced in that particular field, this article discusses the importance of having such a team in the military. Objective The benefits of having a designated sports and exercise medicine set-up are discussed vis-à-vis the military. Methods A literature review of injuries related to military training comparing different armies is presented. Audit work attained from a military sports and exercise clinic is presented, listing injury type (acute or overuse) as well as the anatomical areas involved to highlight the specifics of injury outcomes in this population. Results A total of 72% of injuries listed were overuse in nature with a high propensity of injuries recorded in the lower limbs, in keeping with the methods of training employed by armies worldwide. Conclusion The availability of a designated sports and exercise clinic in a military setting can serve various purposes, not only through the provision of a service that is specific to military personnel and which therefore complements the ongoing training structures, but also through the provision of guidance in the planning of training regimes as well as in pre-training medical screening.