First, I apologize for the English – I do not have a Hebrew keyboard at my disposal. I would be happy if someone translates this message quickly for the sake of those not comfortable reading English.
Recently, a WHOLE supplement of the journal Medicine Science Sports and Exercise (Volume 40(11) Suppl 1, November 2008) was devoted to research results pertaining to military medicine. Almost the entire journal is of research done in Israel by a group of very talented, hard working researchers. The primary interests were on interventions to lower injuries in military recruits.
The supplement starts with a review article by Dr. Charles Milgrom (Hadassah) and Dr. Aaron Finestone (Assaf Harofeh ) regarding their efforts to reduce stress fractures in military recruits. They summarize 25 years of their research. Their hard work, dedication and sacrifice to this subject area should be applauded. They have contributed significantly to the defence of Israel, and are by far the leading world authorities in this area.
What I bring from that article is a graph comparing the cumulative weekly marching distance (km) between soldiers going through 13 weeks of basic training (I presume this is then “Tironut Hir") in 1983 and 2003. It is shocking how much LESS soldiers are walking these days.
With regards to my personal opinion; while I have acknowledged the great respect I have towards Milgrom and Finestone, I do not believe that lowering the amount of formal marching kilometers to the level it is currently at, does not affect the quality and professionalism of the infantry soldier.
I believe I cannot put the entire article on Fresh – due to copyright issues. It is readily available at any academic medical library.
Milgrom and Finestone, 2008, Med Sci Sports and Exercise, 40, 11 623 -629