Changes in Protein Turnover, Hormonal Status, and Body Composition during Physiologically Demanding Military Training

Abstract

Physiological stress imposed during short‐term military training is often severe and intentional; producing a catabolic state and loss of lean body mass (LBM). The extent to which this occurs and metabolic responses that may contribute to the loss of LBM are not well characterized. This study examined body composition, whole‐body protein turnover (15N‐alanine), testosterone and cortisol before (BASELINE) and after (POST) 7 days of Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) School in 68 male US Marines (mean ± SD, 25 ± 2 y, 83.7 ± 9.1 kg). Total body mass (TBM) was 7% lower (−2.7 ± 1.4 kg fat and −3.1 ± 1.7 kg LBM), proteolysis 28% higher and net protein balance 132% lower POST‐SERE (P P r = −0.30; P r = −0.28; P r = 0.37; P r = 0.31; P r = 0.26; P r = −0.34, P r = 0.22; P = 0.07). The physiological stress during SERE elicits a hypogonadal state and catabolism of LBM. Decrements in testosterone were quantitatively associated with the increase in proteolysis and loss of LBM.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2016
Source ID
10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.1287.2

Entities

People

  • Arny A. Ferrando
  • Claire E Berryman
  • Harris R Lieberman
  • Holly L. Mcclung
  • James P. Mcclung
  • John J. Sepowitz
  • Lee M. Margolis
  • Stefan M. Pasiakos

Organizations

  • United States Army Medical Research and Development Command
  • United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine
  • University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Tags

Readers

  • Exercise and Sports Science.
  • Immunology and Pathology