Core Temperature and Energy Expenditure During the Crucible Exercise at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island.
Abstract
In January and February, 1998, fifty Marine Recruits (thirty men, twenty women) were studied during the Crucible, a 54 hour training exercise which culminates Marine Corps Recruit Basic Training. The purpose of this study was to measure body core temperature and energy expenditure during the Crucible to: 1) assess the risk of hypothermia and 2) determine if ration restrictions should be eased. Core temperature was measured with a lightweight (3 oz) Body Core Temperature Monitor (BCTM) and an FDA-approved ingestible temperature sensor. Energy expenditure was measured using the doubly labeled water (D2180) technique. Energy intake was estimated by collecting Meal Ready to Eat (MRE) ration wrappers saved by each volunteer during the exercise. Weather data were obtained from portable stations. Results: 1) mean maximum core temperature was 38.51 deg C (range, 38.15-39.14 deg C); 2) mean minimum core temperature was 35.97 deg C (range, 35.28-36.64 deg C); 3) mean energy expenditure (kcal) over 54-h was 13,790 plus or minus 410 (6128 kcal/day) and 10,635 plus or minus 315 (4727 kcal/day) for the men and women, respectively; 4) mean energy intake for 54-h was 3,200 and 2,600 kcals for the men and women, respectively; 5) mean air temperature was 10.8 deg C (range, 3.6-18.8 deg C) in January and 13.8 deg C (range, 6.3-21.4 deg C) in February. In conclusion, mean core temperature did not fall to hypothermic levels (<35.5 deg C) and the energy deficit was approximately 10,100 kcal in the men and 7,700 kcal in the women.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA354030
Entities
People
- Andrew J Young
- James P. Delany
- John W Castellani
- Reed W. Hoyt
- Richard R. Gonzalez
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine