The Effect of Load Carriage and Marching Distance on Overuse Injuries and Tactical Fitness among Basic Training Infantry Soldiers

Background: Infantry missions require several abilities, specifically aerobic and anaerobic endurance, explosive force and agility. To reach fitness, effective infantry training must include all forms of training, though the optimal proportion between aerobic and anaerobic training is debated. Surveys done among infantry soldiers after large operations have found diminished ability for weight bearing compared to combat requirements. This may reflect sub-optimal training during the basic training period. Marches consist of an important part in the Israeli army basic training. It was postulated that marching long distances with relatively light weight is ineffective in increasing muscle strength. Several authors have shown that over-marching can increase the rate of overuse injuries and lead to increased days off and even deterrence.

Aim: To determine the effect of reducing marching mileage while increasing weight carried on physical fitness and overuse injuries, among basic training infantry soldiers. Records from the physical fitness and medical files of the 35^th Infantry Brigade trainees, recruited between 2009 and 2012, were analyzed (long and light – LL, n=2900; short and heavy – SH, n=3557). Medical and fitness outcomes were calculated for two groups.

Results: Mean running time was significantly decreased in the SH group. Final physical fitness test scores were significantly increased. Prevalence and incidence of all overuse injury diagnosis were decreased in the SH group as compared with the LL group.

Discussion and Conclusion: The study suggests an association between shortening marches while increasing loads carried and better tactical fitness and health. More research is needed to determine a cause-and-effect relationship.