Does a neuromuscular training program lead to fewer lower limb injuries in New Zealand Army Recruits?

INTERVENTION: Intervention training exercises: Light run warm up and a circuit of 14 plus exercises including strength, technique, core stability, motor control and plyometric. Low to moderate intensity. Administered by 2 qualified and experienced Army Physical Training Instructors. Prescription of 3‐5 sessions per week for a duration of 6 weeks determined by the existing physical training schedule. First intake 9th July 2012. Second intake 6th Aug 2012. CONDITION: Injuries and Accidents ‐ Other injuries and accidents Lower limb Injury ; ; Lower limb Injury; Musculoskeletal ‐ Other muscular and skeletal disorders PRIMARY OUTCOME: Lower limb injury incidence extracted from medical appointment encounters.; ; Recruit injury incidence rates: calculated as 1 or more injuries/ total time in company for all recruits x 1000 (injuries/1000 person‐days).; ; Cumulative injury incidence: recruits with 1 or more injuries / all recruits x100.[Recorded throughout trial period. ] SECONDARY OUTCOME: Health care costs ; Number of medical encounters and associated costs extracted for injuries sustained. ; ; [Recorded throughout trial period. ; ] i) Weight‐Bearing Dorsi‐flexion Lunge Test ; Used to measure ankle dorsiflexion range of motion.[Measured week 1, 8 and 15. ] Light duties time ; Time loss (days) due to injury.[Recorded throughout trial duration. ; ] Lower limb Y Balance Test ; Used to measure dynamic stability of the lower limb.[Measured week 1, 8 and 15.] Military Pre‐training Questionnaire. ; A self reported questionnaire on pre‐entry physical fitness, injury history, diet, alcohol and smoking status. [Week 1. only.] Number of health care encounters for injury. ; Counting number of health care encounters extracted from patient medical records for injuries sustained. ; [Recorded throughout trial period. ] Occupational endpoint achievement ; The final point a recruit reaches i.e. completed training, backsquaded, voluntary discharge, administrative discharge and medical discharge. ; [Retrospective, post trial.] Regular Fitness Level, timed 2.4 km. run ; [Measured week 1, 6 and 8 as scheduled by physical training program. ] INCLUSION CRITERIA: Recruit presenting for Army training Recruit attest to Army training Consent to study