AN ORTHOPEDIC EXAM FOR ATHLETIC INJURY RISK FACTORS

Abstract

Athletic injuries, in particular stress fractures, are common among U.S. Navy SEAL trainees during their extensive program of upper and lower body physical training. Between 1980 and 1986 there were over 200 stress fractures, accounting for almost halfof all medical dropouts from the program. Most of the injuries are overuse related, and potentially preventable. In an attempt to identify physical risk factors that could be used in a pre-selection process, a simple reproducible physical exam emphasizing biomechanical factors was devised and used to evaluate men about to begin training.