Physical Performance and Carbohydrate Consumption in CF Commandos during a 5-Day Field Trial
Abstract
This study evaluated the capacity of military personnel to perform maximal exercise before and after 5 days of sustained physical activity. An additional goal was to evaluate whether a carbohydrate supplement to the regular field rations would reduce the extent of any performance impairments. Subjects (Ss) were 29 male volunteers from the Canadian Forces Airborne Regiment. They were allowed 4-5 h sleep each 24h and 45 min per meal, but were otherwise continuously occupied with physically demanding missions in a field environment. Performance tests administered 2 days before and at the end of a the 5-day field trial included evaluations of maximal aerobic power during cycle exercise, anaerobic power, muscular strength and endurance, rate of maximal force development and reaction time. Muscle and blood tissue samples were obtained before and after the trial to clarify the relative contribution of fat and carbohydrate energy stores to meeting the metabolic cost of the field trial. The results demonstrated that the Ss were in a marked negative caloric balance by the end of the field trial. Skeletal muscle glycogen stores were markedly depleted. In association with these changes there were significant impairments at the end of the trial in maximal aerobic power, maximal dynamic strength, and anaerobic power of large muscle groups. These observations have direct implications for mission planning and physical performance expectations of military units involved in sustained operations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA217204
Entities
People
- A. Beach
- D. Bell
- D. Van Loon
- I. Jacobs
- J. Pope
- L. Pasut
- M. Kavanagh
- M. Schrziner
Organizations
- DRDC Toronto