For third metatarsal stress fracture, a delayed forefoot loading increases injury risk.

I picked up the third metatarsal.

Objectives: This prospective study investigated anatomical and biomechanical risk factors for second and third metatarsal stress fractures in military recruits during training.

Group 1 had no change in tissue thickness, whereas in group 2, the right third metatarsal tissue thickness decreased significantly (p = 0.036).