Okay, kind of morbid thought here. Reading summer1942's post, it seemed like a lot of people get injured in some way shape or form at USNA. So, my burning question is, how common is it to get injured? And by injured, I mean where you have to sit out for more than a couple days? Thanks in advance!
How common are injuries?
- Thread starter Tyler
- Start date
usna1985
15-Year Member
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2006
- Messages
- 7,849
USNA is a demanding physical environment where people push themselves very hard. And, everyone does sports. That combination leads to injuries. Thinking back, over the course of 4 yrs, including summers, probably 75% had some injury (or illness -- it's a very closed environment, so illnesses can spread quickly) that kept them "out" for at least a couple of days. Sprains, strains, breaks, tears were common. So were viruses of various sorts.
The good news is that medical care is excellent, people are anxious to "get back" to whatever they're doing, and you have a young and very healthy group of people. So it's very rare for anyone to be out for an extended period of time.
The good news is that medical care is excellent, people are anxious to "get back" to whatever they're doing, and you have a young and very healthy group of people. So it's very rare for anyone to be out for an extended period of time.
I imagine 85's estimate is based upon experience attending the Academy and knowning the environment (just my guess... I am sure they will explain). I would say that number is about right in my experience. As a basketball player I was constantly hurt and injured at the Academy (broken bones, concussion, etc). The athletic training staff for the sports teams and the medical care provided by the Navy was really good at the Academy (way better than when I was in the fleet to be honest). In order to keep Division I athletes on the field, court, etc. the training staffs are very busy folks taking care of our broken bodies. I would probably say the varsity and club level athletes have more severe injuries on average than your intramural athletes (just read the papers about the injuries the football team sustains and are playing through... probably not as bad as a list of injuries of the intramural flag football team for a company - but not saying they don't sustain injuries, stuff happens all time). The goal of the Academy is to commission us, so therefore we need to be medically qualified. I think the medical staff does a great job getting us back on our feet and ready for commissioning. Being young and in shape really helps the recovery timeline and getting us going again.
Also it is key to understand if you are hurt (pulled muscle, sprain, etc where rest, ice and some Advil will help) vs. being injured (needs a doctor's care, possible rehab, etc). Learning to push through these is part of learning to push the limits, but being smart about it. This is key when you are a Detailer with Plebes - Identifying kids who are really injured and need care, but won't say a thing. Sometimes you have to make them see a Doc. Just like any dorm type environment sickness spreads quickly, the Academies are not immune to this. Just a part of life when you have 4000 people living that closely together. Eating right, being in shape, getting plenty of rest (the biggest challenge at the Academy) are the best ways to prevent this. Plebe hack is notorious during Plebe Summer... this is when the Plebes are pretty broken down after a week or two and they all get sick. Happens every year, most adjust to it and Parents Weekend with some rest, food and love from Mom and Dad helps.
Also it is key to understand if you are hurt (pulled muscle, sprain, etc where rest, ice and some Advil will help) vs. being injured (needs a doctor's care, possible rehab, etc). Learning to push through these is part of learning to push the limits, but being smart about it. This is key when you are a Detailer with Plebes - Identifying kids who are really injured and need care, but won't say a thing. Sometimes you have to make them see a Doc. Just like any dorm type environment sickness spreads quickly, the Academies are not immune to this. Just a part of life when you have 4000 people living that closely together. Eating right, being in shape, getting plenty of rest (the biggest challenge at the Academy) are the best ways to prevent this. Plebe hack is notorious during Plebe Summer... this is when the Plebes are pretty broken down after a week or two and they all get sick. Happens every year, most adjust to it and Parents Weekend with some rest, food and love from Mom and Dad helps.
usna1985
15-Year Member
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2006
- Messages
- 7,849
^^^^
As the above poster said, the 75% number was simply a good guess based on recollection. It's not scientific.
Some people go through 4 yrs w/o a single injury; many are hurt or get sick multiple times. Almost all recover fully from whatever ails them.
As the above poster said, the 75% number was simply a good guess based on recollection. It's not scientific.
Some people go through 4 yrs w/o a single injury; many are hurt or get sick multiple times. Almost all recover fully from whatever ails them.As already surmised, this information is not posted daily or anything like that; it is a ball-park based on personal recollection. Accidents happen among 1,000 very active young people. Frankly, it seems to me we were too busy to get hung up on the situation except for one very serious football injury. Regardless, you have access to very excellent medical care.