The Nutritional, Physiological and Psychological Status of a Group of British Sappers after 23 Days of Adventure Training in the Hot Wet Tropics
Abstract
The nutritional adequacy of both Australian combat ration packs and local feeding with fresh foods was evaluated during Exercise Pelopor Finn, a 23-day adventure training exercise conducted in Saban, Malaysia. Thirty one males (aged 19 to 32 years) from the British 25 Engineer Regiment participated in the study. Blood samples were collected for determination of nutritional status and a skin immune- function test was performed before and after the exercise. Measurement of body mass, recording of food consumption, physical fitness testing, collection of saliva samples (immunoglobulin-A) and testing of psychological status (mood and cognition) occurred immediately before and after and at multiple time points during the study. Mean weight loss was 5.5%, decrements in physical and mental performance were not observed and good immune status was maintained. Food consumption was encouraged by the novelty of new foods, ability to socialize and take meal breaks, ability to self-select food items and number of serves, adequate sleep, good morale, and good hydration status. Conclusion: Although providing sufficient energy and macronutrients, the Australian CRP failed to provide sufficient iron, folic acid, antioxidants and vitamin B6 to prevent a decline in storage of these nutrients. Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption were shown to be detrimental to nutritional status and alcohol may have had a particular negative effect on iron status.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA407613
Entities
People
- Christine Booth
- Ross Coad
- Warren Roberts
Organizations
- Defence Science and Technology Group