Musculoskeletal Injuries During U.S. Air Force Special Warfare Training Assessment and Selection, Fiscal Years 2019-2021.
Cody R. Butler, Lauren E. Haydu, Jacob F. Bryant, John A. Mata, Juste Tchandja, Kathleen A. Hogan, Ben Hando
Abstract
From the inception of the Special Warfare Training Wing in fiscal year 2019 through 2021, 753 male, enlisted candidates attempted at least 1 Assessment and Selection and did not self-eliminate (i.e., quit). Candidates were on average 23 years of age. During candidates' first attempt, 356 (47.3%) individuals experienced a musculoskeletal (MSK) injury. Among the injuries, the most frequent type was nonspecific (n=334/356; 93.8%), and the most common anatomic region of injury was the lower extremity (n=255/356; 71.6%). When included in a multivariable model, older age, slower run times on initial fitness tests, and prior nonspecific injury were associated with both any injury and specifically lower extremity MSK injury.