Stress fractures of the pelvis in female navy recruits: an analysis of possible mechanisms of injury

The purpose of our study was to investigate possible risk factors and mechanisms for the development of pelvic stress fractures in female Navy recruits. We used a case-control retrospective study of female Navy recruits undergoing basic military training. We compared anthropometric and activity data between recruits with pelvic stress fractures (N = 25) and female recruits who completed training without injury (N = 61). Recruits developing pelvic stress fractures were significantly (p < 0.05) shorter and lighter and were more frequently Asian or Hispanic than recruits without stress fractures. In addition, recruits with pelvic stress fractures reported marching in the back of their training division, were road guards, and felt that their stride was too long during training activities more often than recruits without injury. Self-reported fitness, activities before recruit training, or a history of amenorrhea was not found to be associated with the development of a pelvic stress fracture in our population.