Citation

Munnoch K, Bridger RS. Occup. Med. 2007; 57(3): 214-216.

Affiliation

Institute of Naval Medicine, Alverstoke, Gosport, Hampshire, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/occmed/kql170

PMID

17218331

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Training for the Royal Marines (RMs) is considered to be one of the most arduous military training regimes in the world. Approximately 16% of the annual intake of recruits suffer an injury. Smoking has been found to be a predisposition to injury. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between recruits' smoking status on entry to training and subsequent incidence of injury. METHOD: Retrospective, longitudinal analysis of 1 year's intake of RM recruits at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines. RESULTS: A significantly greater proportion of RM recruits who were smokers on entry to training experienced a physical injury during the course than their non-smoking counterparts (chi-square = 8.15, P < 0.01). A recruit who smoked on entry to training was almost twice as likely to acquire an injury during training [relative risk = 1.7 (95% CI = 1.2-2.8)]. CONCLUSION: Smoking status of RM recruits in training was significantly associated with injury.

Language: en