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Excerpt
Physical performance has been shown to decrease with loss of lean body weight (LBW). The purpose of this study was to compare LBW before and after 14 days of military training involving heavy physical exertion conducted at 2700 m. Subjects were 67 male, active-duty U.S. Marine Corps volunteers (25.1± 6.3 yr). Training included snow shoeing, telemark skiing, patrolling, walking, and walking with loads. Percent body fat (%BF) was estimated from four-site skinfolds (abdomen, suprailiac, triceps, and thigh). LBW and fat weight (FW) were calculated from body weight (electronic scale) and%BF. LBW, FW,%BF, and urine specific gravity (USG) (refractometry) were measured 1 day before training began (Pre) and on the last day of training (Post). Caloric intake (3-day average) was 3648 ± 1162 kcals · d-1, 81% of 4500 kcals available. Body weight, LBW, FW and%BF had decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after training, but USG was not significantly different. Table
Our findings show that hydration, based on USG, is not a problem. The primary cause of LBW loss appears to be a combination of inadequate caloric intake and availability. The caloric need, based on food intake and weight loss, was estimated at 5517 kcal · d-1. The Marine Corps has a policy of enforcing hydration during training, there is no similar policy for maintaining caloric intake. Based on our results, such a policy should be considered.
