§ Dr. MurrisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he has taken to address the number of injuries sustained by women under Army training since the introduction of the gender-free policy. [R] [31477]
§ Mr. IngramThis issue has been kept under close review since the introduction of "gender-free" physical testing in 1998. A number of changes have been made to both the selection and initial training process. In May 2000, a one and a half mile run was introduced at Recruit Selection Centres, to act as a "risk reducer" by identifying 9W those individuals who would be unlikely to be able to complete training. Remedial treatment and physiotherapy services at the Army Training Regiments have been expanded and doctors there have been given better training in sports medicine.
During 2001, a complete reprofiling of the common military syllabus for recruits at the Army Training Regiments (ATRs) was undertaken. The programming and physical development profile was reviewed and refined to provide a graduated curve of increasing physical intensity to minimise the risk of early traumatic injury. The programme is focused on the average 16 to 18-year-old physical fitness start state, and it is specifically designed to minimise lower limb traumas and soft tissue injuries in the first six weeks of training. Heart rate monitors have been introduced to optimise individual physical development profiles. Lower limb strength training and certain limitations on basic drill have been introduced. The changes were instituted in October 2001 and will be formally assessed in April 2002; first indications are that injury rates in the first nine weeks of training have fallen overall.
Establishment and strength of Footguard Regiments as at 1 January 2002 1 Grenadier Guards N Coy 1 Coldstream Guards Establishment Strength Establishment Strength Establishment Strength Infantry 561 535 107 100 561 547 RAChD 0 0 0 0 0 0 RLC 23 19 0 1 23 22 RAMC 4 3 0 0 4 3 REME 11 11 0 1 0 1 AG CORPS (SPS) 22 23 0 0 22 22 Royal Signals 0 0 0 0 0 1 QARANC 1 0 1 0 1 0 Royal Engineers 0 0 0 0 0 1 HCAV 0 0 0 0 0 0 APTC 1 1 0 0 1 2 UKTAP 622 592 107 102 611 599 FTRS 0 0 0 0 0 0 Gurkhas 0 0 0 0 0 0 Whole Army total 624 592 107 102 612 599 10W
7 Coy 8 Coy 1 Scots Guards Establishment Strength Establishment Strength Establishment Strength Infantry 107 80 98 98 562 515 RAChD 0 0 0 0 0 1 RLC 0 0 0 0 23 17 RAMC 0 0 0 0 4 3 REME 0 1 0 0 11 9 AG CORPS (SPS) 0 0 0 0 22 21 Royal Signals 0 0 0 0 0 0 QARANC 1 0 1 0 1 0 Royal Engineers 0 0 0 0 0 0 HCAV 0 0 0 0 0 0 APTC 0 0 0 0 1 1 UKTAP 107 81 98 98 623 567 FTRS 0 0 0 0 0 0 Gurkhas 0 0 0 0 0 0 Whole Army total 107 81 98 98 624 567 The Army Training and Recruiting Agency has continued to sponsor studies in injury prevention and management, remedial training, ergonomics and nutritional areas; currently there are 10 studies in progress, with the overall aim of reducing injuries and medical discharges during training, for both male and females recruits, to the lowest practicable levels while meeting standards and complying with legislation.