Matthew E. Darnell

Suboptimal Nutritional Characteristics in Male and Female Soldiers Compared to Sports Nutrition Guidelines.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutrient intake of male and female Soldiers in the 101 st Airborne Division (Air Assault) compared to sports nutrition standards for athletes, and to identify suboptimal eating characteristics that may impair physical performance and jeopardize military readiness. Male and female Soldiers from the 101 st Airborne Division (Air Assault) completed a 24-hour dietary recall and nutrition history questionnaire before anthropometric and body composition measurements were taken. Compared to sports nutrition guidelines, Soldiers of the 101 st under consume carbohydrates (males: 3.9 ± 2.0 vs. 5.0 g/kg, p < 0.001; females: 4.0 ± 2.1 vs. 5.0 g/kg, p = 0.001), male Soldiers eat too much fat (32.4% of kcal vs. <30% of kcal, p = 0.000) and saturated fat (males: 10.5 ± 3.9% of kcal vs. 10.0% of kcal, p = 0.044), and both males and females follow a meal pattern that may not optimize energy availability throughout the day. Eating too much fat and under fueling carbohydrate may negatively impact the adaptations to physical training and compromise overall health. Although Soldiers continue to participate in arduous training programs, future research should be aimed at determining the energy and macronutrient needs to fuel and recover from specific types of military training.

Emerging Concepts in Human Performance Optimization

The optimization of performance is a defining goal with regard to the long-term development of any athlete. The process of performance optimization in football players is constantly evolving as our knowledge and understanding of the factors which act to influence player performance increase. Consistent with this evolution in our understanding and continual drive toward ever-increasing player performance is the development and emergence of new concepts, ideas, and technologies to help toward this goal. This chapter presents some of these emerging concepts and issues related to the optimization player performance. An overview of new approaches to the processes involved strength and conditioning training, strategies for enhancing nutritional intake and timing to maximize recovery, and an introduction to new and developing technologies which can be utilized to inform training practices, monitor player training intensity, and optimize sleep-wake schedules to promote increased levels of recovery. In addition, the complexities of integrating and managing all the information associated with the adoption of emerging strategies and technologies are discussed in an effort to further optimize player performance.

Energy expenditure and intake during Special Operations Forces field training in a jungle and glacial environment

The purpose of this study was to identify and compare energy requirements specific to Special Operations Forces in field training, in both cool and hot environments. Three separate training sessions were evaluated, 2 in a hot environment (n = 21) and 1 in a cool environment (n = 8). Total energy expenditure was calculated using doubly labeled water. Dietary intake was assessed via self-report at the end of each training mission day, and macronutrient intakes were calculated. Across the 3 missions, mean energy expenditure (4618 ± 1350 kcal/day) exceeded mean energy intake (2429 ± 838 kcal/day) by an average of 2200 kcal/day. Macronutrient intakes (carbohydrates (g/(kg·day body weight (bw))-1) = 3.2 ± 1.2; protein (g/(kg·day bw)-1) = 1.3 ± 0.7; fat (g/(kg·day bw)-1) = 1.2 ± 0.7) showed inadequate carbohydrate and possibly protein intake across the study period, compared with common recommendations. Total energy expenditures were found to be similar between hot (4664 ± 1399 kcal/day) and cool (4549 ± 1221 kcal/day) environments. However, energy intake was found to be higher in the cool (3001 ± 900 kcal/day) compared with hot (2200 ± 711 kcal/day) environments. Based on the identified energy deficit, high variation in energy expenditures, and poor macronutrient intake, a greater attention to feeding practices during similar training scenarios for Special Operations Forces is needed to help maintain performance and health. The differences in environmental heat stress between the 2 climates/environments had no observed effect on energy expenditures, but may have influenced intakes.

Dietary Intake of Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman Compared to Sports Nutrition Recommendations: 1468 Board #208 May 29, 8

Evidence-supported sports nutrition (SN) guidelines are based on the requirements necessary to meet the fuel and nutrient needs that will maximize adaptations from daily hard physical training (PT). Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman (SWCC) have similar training regimens to elite athletes (multiple training sessions per day, mix of strength and endurance) and therefore may benefit from following SN recommendations. PURPOSE: To evaluate nutrient intake of SWCC compared to SN recommendations and identify suboptimal eating characteristics that impair physical performance and recovery. METHODS: A total of 126 SWCC (age: 26.8 ± 5.3 years, weight: 85.9 ± 9.5 kg, body fat: 20.0 ± 5.4%) completed a 24-hour dietary recall, using an Automated Self-Administered 24-hour Recall analysis software. RESULTS: Reported nutrient intake was 2,965 ± 1180 kcals/day, 150 ± 73g protein/day, 318 ± 146g, carbohydrate (CHO)/day and 118 ± 59g fat/day. Fat intake >30% kcal was found in 71% of SWCC. Self-reported average daily (PT) was 99 ± 69 minutes per day. Compared to SN guidelines, 81% of SWCC did not consume the goal amount of CHO to fuel 90 minutes of intense daily PT, only 32% met the recommended protein intake, with 23% not meeting the minimum amount of protein (1.2 g/kg body weight per day) (Table: 1)