Acceptability of Carbohydrate Gels During a 5-Day US Marine Corps Basic Officer Course Field Exercise
Abstract
Warfighters working in field environments typically undereat relative to their caloric expenditure (1), and carbohydrate utilization. The shortfall in total energy intake is normally met by drawing from ample body fat reserves. In contrast, body carbohydrate reserves are modest, and inadequate carbohydrate intake in these physically active individuals leads to decreased carbohydrate reserves (1,9,11). Low carbohydrate availability negatively affects physical performance (8,10). Soldiers may experience unnecessary loss of muscle mass and other problems due to inadequate carbohydrate intake when exercising vigorously (<300 g/d) (4,6,8,9,11). The use of carbohydrate drink supplements in U.S. Army Rangers has been shown to increase cognitive performance on an auditory vigilance-reaction time test and improvements in mood after a 19.3 km road march followed by two 4.8 km runs with intermittent rest periods (5). Carbohydrate drinks also improved U.S. Army Rangers' performance on physical tasks such as uphill running and marksmanship immediately following uphill running (8). To help meet the need for supplemental carbohydrate, a memorandum from the USARIEM Commander to the Director of Sustainability Directorate at the U.S. Army Natick Research and Engineering Center requested that 100-200 g/man/d of supplemental carbohydrate be provided in rations to reduce problems associated with low levels of carbohydrate intake (December 12,1996).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA398751
Entities
People
- Brent A. Smith
- F. M. Kramer
- Scott J. Montain
- Susan M. Mcgraw
- William J. Tharion
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine