Assessment of Intra- and Inter-Individual Metabolic Variation in Special Operations Forces (SOF) Soldiers,
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to quantify both within- and between-subject variation in respiratory and hormonal responses during repeated bouts of prolonged. treadmill exercise and recovery as the basis for individualization of operational rations. Eighteen U.S. Army Special Operations Forces (SOF) soldiers participated as test subjects. Diet, hydration status, energy expenditure, and ambient conditions were controlled. Extremely low variation between individuals in respiratory variables and biochemical variables indicated insignificant variation between individuals in substrate utilization during exercise. Also, a dietary carbohydrate intake of 4.4 g CHO kg BW 1 was insufficient to prevent a transition from a carbohydrate- to a fat-predominant metabolism. Despite consuming nearly twice the RDA for protein, more than half of these well-trained men were in negative nitrogen balance for 6 days of the 11-day study. This evidence supports the contention that protein requirement may increase with increasing physical activity. Additionally, relative contributions of fat and carbohydrate in the diet may also induce differences in nitrogen requirements. Also, ingestion of a carbohydrate supplement improved exercise performance. Finally, optimal nutritional support during mission deployment may be made on the basis of body weight, predicted energy expenditure, exercise intensity, and environmental concerns.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA304843
Entities
People
- Catherine L. Gabaree
- Ellen Brooks
- Richard T. Tulley
- T. C. Murphy
- Tanya E. Jones
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine