Young people break bones more easily these days than recruits used to. That’s what US Army doctors say. They give these tips against the problem.
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US Army doctor: Game console generation breaks bones more easily
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A US military doctor has delivered a scathing verdict on the current generation of young people, according to a US Army press release distributed via Vice. The sedentary lifestyle of young people compared to previous generations has made their skeletons more prone to injury. The young men and women between the ages of 18 and 25 are no longer used to the intense activity that awaits them in basic military training. It is therefore difficult for today’s applicants for a military career to make the transition from civilian life to the military and to successfully survive recruit training.
“Women get injured more often than men”
The skeleton of the “Nintendo generation” (quote from the press release) was not strengthened by movement before they arrived at the army. Therefore they would break more easily. The doctor cites acute fractures, cruciate ligament tears, muscle strains and stress fractures as examples of typical injuries suffered by young people who, in his opinion, are not sufficiently hardened. The overwhelming majority of injuries are due to overuse, adds another army doctor.
The lower extremities are particularly at risk. Statistically, women injure themselves more often than their male counterparts, says the doctor.
Tip: “Go in the sun and drink milk”
The military doctor therefore recommends a few weeks of targeted fitness preparation before moving to the training camp or basic training. This could significantly improve their chances of success by avoiding the most common injuries that can delay or prevent the completion of initial military training. In addition to such physical training, the prospective recruits should also go out in the sun regularly – which should also be a problem for people who spend a significant part of their lives in front of the PC or next to the game console – and drink milk. Because the doctors often found low calcium and vitamin D levels in the recruits. This deficiency plays a role, particularly in the case of injuries that stress the bones.