Energy balance and physical demands during an 8-week arduous military training course

Abstract

This study assessed soldier's physical demands and energy balance during the Section Commanders' Battles Course (SCBC). Forty male soldiers were monitored during the 8-week tactics phase of the SCBC. Energy expenditure was measured using the doubly labeled water method. Cardiovascular strain (heart rate) and physical activity (using triaxial accelerometer) were also monitored. Average sized portions of meals were weighed, with all recipes and meals entered into a dietary analysis program to calculate the calorie content. Energy expenditure averaged 19.6 ± 1.8 MJ · d −1 in weeks 2 to 3 and 21.3 ± 2.0 MJ · d −1 in weeks 6 to 7. Soldiers lost 5.1 ± 2.6 kg body mass and body fat percent decreased from 23 ± 4% to 19 ± 5%. This average weight loss equates to an estimated energy deficit of 2.69 MJ · d −1. The Army provided an estimated 14.0 ± 2.2 MJ · d −1 in weeks 2 to 3 and 15.7 ± 2.2 MJ · d −1 in weeks 6 to 7. Although this provision adheres to the minimum requirement of 13.8 MJ · d −1 set by Army regulations, soldiers were in a theoretical 5.6 MJ · d −1 energy deficit. The physical demands of SCBC were high, and soldiers were in energy deficit resulting in loss in body mass; primarily attributed to a loss in fat mass.