Review into the treatment of women at the Australian Defence Force ...

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Chapter 10: Minimising Risk, Managing Incidents and Ensuring the Safety of the Workplace – Recommendations 22-31Recommendation 30: ADFA undertake a detailed evaluation todetermine whether female cadets are more likely to become injuredthan male cadets and, if so, identify the causes and additionalmechanisms to be put in place to manage this risk. Following thisevaluation, strategies should be developed to:a) improve injury and health managementb) actively promote health and wellbeing with reference to bestpractice in comparable residential settingsc) recognise the physical capabilities of individualscommensurate with their respective rolesd) eliminate stigma associated with medical restrictions.Intent of RecommendationThis Recommendation arose after a finding that there was a disparity between male and femaleinjury rates and little awareness of the reasons for this. While there were some mechanisms in placeto address health and injury related issues there was a strong need to supplement these to moreadequately address the risks associated with gender differences. This is of particular importance in theADFA context in which undergraduates and staff place an enormous emphasis on physical ability.Implementation actionsADFA has commenced recording injury statistics differentiated by gender, type and cause of injury in aformat which lends itself to regular analysis of incidents and trends. The statistics are compiled monthlywith a Master Rehabilitation Database produced three times per year. 1 The preliminary data has beenused to determine the prevalence of male and female injuries and to identify the types and causes ofinjuries with reference to gender. 2The ADFA approach to injury management has changed substantially. The RMC Physical ConditioningOptimisation Review has been examined in order to assist in making changes to the ADFA approach. 3A comprehensive rehabilitation program has been developed and a dedicated injury management cellhas been established. There have also been amendments to the physical and recreational trainingprograms, involving personalised fitness programs as part of ‘the new periodised, graduated PhysicalTraining Program.’ 4118
Related to ADFA’s preliminary finding that female undergraduates suffer disproportionate gradual onsetand sporting injuries, ADFA has in place the following:• A research application for ethics approval to undertake a study to determine the relationshipbetween running technique and the incidence of Chronic Exertional Leg Pain, whichrepresents up to 30% of presentation to Duntroon Health Centre. 5• Following findings that many undergraduates are joining ADFA with insufficient fitness levels,which puts them at high risk of gradual onset injury, ADFA has incorporated informationon initial fitness requirements into the ADFA annual ‘Roadshow’. The ‘Roadshow’ providesinformation on life at ADFA to potential undergraduates around Australia. 6• The ADF has developed the ‘ADF Active’ iPhone application which provides personalisedfitness programs for a range of fitness levels. The training programs, which includeinstructions and video demonstrations, have been developed by qualified ADF personaltrainers. 7• Sports screening, in which individuals are screened to determine whether they can meetthe required fitness and ability to participate in sporting activities, including extra-curricularsports. 8As part of the approach to eliminate stigma associated with medical restrictions, ADFA has removedthe requirement that undergraduates in remedial or rehabilitation programs must wear visible appareldenoting their special status. 9 The Audit has been advised that the unacceptability of stigmatising isalso emphasised during undergraduate training. 10Audit findingsADFA has undertaken extensive work in the approach to injury management. The Audit encouragesADFA to continue to pursue these developments with particular focus on strategies to address femaleinjuries.The injury databases for remedial and rehabilitation statistics were revised in 2012 to differentiate injuriesby gender and cause. In line with the Recommendation, this allows a comparison between the numberand causes of male and female injuries. 11The master documents clearly show the number of male and female injuries and the nature and causeof the injuries. 12 The April 2012 Master Rehabilitation Database indicates that there were 61 injuries, ofwhich 33 were female and 28 were male. According to the July 2012 Master Rehabilitation Database,39 female undergraduates were injured compared to 31 males. These figures are concerning given thatthere are 189 female undergraduates compared with 703 male. 13 The monthly compilation of statisticsand the production of a Master Rehabilitation Database three times per year will assist in ADFA’smanagement of female health and injury.In line with the Recommendation, ADFA has undertaken an investigation into whether females are morelikely to become injured and in a preliminary manner has identified the main types and causes of injuriesto female undergraduates. The Audit was advised that although military training injuries do not show asignificant difference:females seem to be suffering a higher rate of injuries in sport with rugby a stand out. The smalldata sample suggests that females have significantly more gradual onset injuries than males.This observation needs to be followed up as more data becomes available. 14Audit Report: Review into the Treatment of Women at the Australian Defence Force Academy • 2013 • 119
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ContentsA Message from the Commissi
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A Message from the CommissionerADFA
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Chapter 1:Audit ApproachThe Report
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Chapter 1: Audit ApproachThe Audit
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Chapter 2: Summary of Audit Finding
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Chapter 3: MethodologyQuantitative
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