-
1.
Impact of Fatty Acid Supplementation on Cognitive Performance among United States (US) Military Officers: The Ranger Resilience and Improved Performance on Phospholipid-Bound Omega-3's (RRIPP-3) Study.
Marriott, BP, Turner, TH, Hibbeln, JR, Newman, JC, Pregulman, M, Malek, AM, Malcolm, RJ, Burbelo, GA, Wismann, JW
Nutrients. 2021;(6)
Abstract
Studies have assessed omega-3 fatty acids and cognitive decline among older adults and cognitive development among children, although less is known about cognitive or neurological effects among young adults. We examined whether omega-3 supplementation from krill oil could improve cognition and resilience among young military officers compared to a control. This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 555 officers (mean age 23.4 ± 2.8, 98.6% male) entering the United States (US) Army Infantry Basic Officer Leaders Course (IBOLC) with the intention to complete the US Ranger Course. Volunteer participants consumed eight dietary supplements daily of krill oil containing 2.3 g omega-3 or control (macadamia nut oil) over an approximate 20-week period. Cognitive functioning, resilience, and mood were assessed during a well-rested period at approximately 14 weeks and after a battlefield simulation at 16 weeks. Blood spot samples were collected to monitor compliance and dietary intake was assessed. All hypotheses were tested using both 'Intention to Treat' (ITT) and 'As Per Protocol' (APP) approaches. Of the 555 randomized individuals, 245 (44.1%) completed the study. No statistically significant group-by-time interactions indicating treatment effect were found on any outcomes. Poor compliance was indicated by lower than expected omega-3 elevations in the treatment group, and may have contributed to a failure to detect a response.
-
2.
Body mass does not reflect the body composition changes in response to similar physical training in young women and men.
Foulis, SA, Hughes, JM, Walker, LA, Guerriere, KI, Taylor, KM, Proctor, SP, Friedl, KE
International journal of obesity (2005). 2021;(3):659-665
Abstract
INTRODUCTION U.S. Army Basic Combat Training (BCT) prepares new recruits to meet soldier physical demands. It also serves as a model of physical changes in healthy young nonobese women and men during an intensive 10-week training program without diet restriction. In this prospective observational study, we quantified the changes in lean mass and body fat induced by BCT in a large sample of men and women undergoing the same physical training program. METHODS Young women (n = 573) and men (n = 1071) meeting Army health and fitness recruitment standards volunteered to provide DXA-derived body composition data at the beginning and end of BCT. RESULTS During BCT, there was no change in body mass in women and a 1.7-kg loss in men. Relative body fat (%BF) declined by an average of 4.0 ± 2.4 and 3.4 ± 2.8 percentage points (±SD) for women and men, respectively. The greatest predictor of change in %BF during BCT for both sexes was %BF at the beginning of training. Women and men gained an average 2.7 ± 1.6 kg and 1.7 ± 2.0 kg of lean mass during BCT. CONCLUSIONS Army BCT produced significant effects on body composition despite minimal changes in total body mass. These findings demonstrate the ability of a 10-week sex-integrated physical training program to positively alter body composition profiles of young adults.
-
3.
Global prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors in the military population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Baygi, F, Herttua, K, Jensen, OC, Djalalinia, S, Mahdavi Ghorabi, A, Asayesh, H, Qorbani, M
BMC endocrine disorders. 2020;(1):8
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although there are numerous studies on the global prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) in military personnel, the pooled prevalence of CMRFs in this population remains unclear. We aimed to systematically review the literature on the estimation of the global prevalence of CMRFs in the military population. METHODS We simultaneously searched PubMed and NLM Gateway (for MEDLINE), Institute of Scientific Information (ISI), and SCOPUS with using standard keywords. All papers published up to March 2018 were reviewed. Two independent reviewers assessed papers and extracted the data. Chi-square-based Q test was used to assess the heterogeneity of reported prevalence among studies. The overall prevalence of all CMRFs, including overweight, obesity, high low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high total cholesterol (TC), high triglyceride (TG), low high-density lipoprotein (HDL), hypertension (HTN) and high fasting blood sugar (FBS) was estimated by using the random effects meta-analysis. A total of 37 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. RESULTS According the random effect meta-analysis, the global pooled prevalence (95% confidence interval) of MetS, high LDL, high TC, high TG, low HDL and high FBS were 21% (17-25), 32% (27-36), 34% (10-57), 24% (16-31), 28% (17-38) and 9% (5-12), respectively. Moreover, global pooled prevalence of overweight, generalized obesity, abdominal obesity and HTN were estimated to be 35% (31-39), 14% (13-16), 29% (20-39) and 26 (19-34), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The overall prevalence of some cardio-metabolic risk factors was estimated to be higher in military personnel. Therefore, the necessary actions should be taken to reduce risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER IN PROSPERO CRD42018103345.
-
4.
Mental health problems and suicide in the younger generation - implications for prevention in the Navy and merchant fleet.
Rozanov, V
International maritime health. 2020;(1):34-41
Abstract
Psychologists and psychiatrists worldwide are expressing concerns regarding the growing prevalence of mental health problems and the incidence of suicide in young adults. The reasons are seen in the extremely high tempo of social changes, information pressure, and values evolution in the younger generations, which are exposed to growing inequalities, loneliness and lack of social support. Poverty, social isolation, consumerism, hedonism, and unrealistic expectations of the future generate in the vulnerable part of the young adults inevitable frustrations, which give way to depression, anxiety, addictions, and suicide. This creates additional risks for the situation on board ships, both military and merchant, and requires greater efforts during pre-admission selection and in the course of the service or voyages. Suicides in the Navy are better registered than in the cargo fleet and are lower than in the same age and gender groups from the general population, and usually lower than in other types of forces. Data on suicides in the civilian maritime sector are less conclusive, but suggest it as a growing problem, especially considering stress on board. Recent studies revealed quite a lot of mental health problems in the merchant fleet crews, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Among the reasons such factor as "flag of convenience" strategy that implies lower standards, recruiting of the less trained and lower-paid workforce, multinational and multilanguage rotating crews, higher workload and stress and insufficient level of the pre-employment medical examination are mentioned. Recent trends in the mental health of the youth demand higher awareness both in the military ships and in the merchant fleet. We consider that more education and training aimed at mental health problems identification and stress-resilience promotion are needed both for the military and civilian staff on board. Better education of the whole personnel and "healthy ship" approach (better recognition of the crew members' needs, attention to mental health problems, nutrition, physical activity, etc.) may be applied both for the Navy and merchant fleet.
-
5.
A Systematic Review of the Effect of Dietary Supplements on Cognitive Performance in Healthy Young Adults and Military Personnel.
Pomeroy, DE, Tooley, KL, Probert, B, Wilson, A, Kemps, E
Nutrients. 2020;(2)
Abstract
Intake of dietary supplements has increased, despite evidence that some of these have adverse side effects and uncertainty about their effectiveness. This systematic review examined the evidence for the cognitive benefits of a wide range of dietary supplements in healthy young adult samples; the aim was to identify if any might be useful for optimising cognitive performance during deployment in military personnel. Searches were conducted in 9 databases and 13 grey literature repositories for relevant studies published between January 2000 and June 2017. Eligible studies recruited healthy young adults (18-35 years), administered a legal dietary supplement, included a comparison control group, and assessed cognitive outcome(s). Thirty-seven of 394 identified studies met inclusion criteria and were included for synthesis. Most research was deemed of low quality (72.97%; SIGN50 guidelines), highlighting the need for sound empirical research in this area. Nonetheless, we suggest that tyrosine or caffeine could be used in healthy young adults in a military context to enhance cognitive performance when personnel are sleep-deprived. Caffeine also has the potential benefit of improving vigilance and attention during sustained operations offering little opportunity for sleep. Inconsistent findings and methodological limitations preclude firm recommendations about the use of other specific dietary supplements.
-
6.
Health Behaviors and Psychosocial Attributes of US Soldiers.
Kegel, JL, Kazman, JB, Scott, JM, Deuster, PA
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2020;(9):1469-1483
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health trends, which promote performance enhancement and maintaining or increasing muscle strength, may appeal to soldiers looking to maintain health standards set by the US Army, but often these trends require further investigation to assess safety and efficacy. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and use of weight loss and/or performance-enhancing/body-building dietary supplements (WL/PES DS) are two such trends that, if implemented inappropriately, can negatively impact soldier health and readiness. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to establish health/psychosocial profiles of US Army soldiers who participate in HIIT and/or use WL/PES DS. DESIGN This cross-sectional observational study used data from the 2016 US Army Global Assessment Tool. PARTICIPANTS Data were analyzed from respondents to the 2016 US Army Global Assessment Tool (n=299,996) who consented to have their data used for research purposes. RESULTS Soldiers were classified into four groups based on HIIT and/or WL/PES DS use. Thirty-five percent of soldiers participated in HIIT and 10% took WL/PES DS at least once per month in the last year. HIIT participation was associated with higher reported odds of healthy behaviors and higher emotional and social fitness. In contrast to HIIT, WL/PES DS use was associated with higher reported odds of risky behaviors (hazardous drinking and tobacco use) and lower psychosocial fitness. The group participating in HIIT but not using WL/PES DS reported fewer unhealthy behaviors compared to the HIIT+WL/PES DS and WL/PES DS-only groups. CONCLUSIONS Engaging in HIIT is associated with higher reported odds of healthy behaviors and increased psychosocial fitness. However, soldiers who engaged in HIIT also have increased odds of WL/PES DS use, which is associated with greater reported risky behaviors and reduced fitness. Although HIIT and WL/PES DS use are related, they are associated with different reported health/risky behaviors and different psychosocial attributes.
-
7.
The association of insomnia and sleep apnea with deployment and combat exposure in the entire population of US army soldiers from 1997 to 2011: a retrospective cohort investigation.
Caldwell, JA, Knapik, JJ, Shing, TL, Kardouni, JR, Lieberman, HR
Sleep. 2019;(8)
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
Since 2001, the United States has been engaged in the longest and most expensive overseas conflict in its history. Sleep disorders, especially insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), are common in service members and appear related to deployment and combat exposure, but this has not been systematically examined. Therefore, the incidence of clinically diagnosed insomnia and OSA from 1997 to 2011 in the entire population of US Army soldiers was determined and associations of these disorders with deployment and combat exposure examined. This observational retrospective cohort study linked medical, demographic, deployment, and combat casualty data from all active duty US Army soldiers serving from 1997 to 2011 (n = 1 357 150). The mediating effects of multiple known comorbid conditions were considered. From 2003 to 2011, there were extraordinary increases in incidence of insomnia (652%) and OSA (600%). Factors increasing insomnia risk were deployment (risk ratio [RR] [deployed/not deployed] = 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.04-2.08) and combat exposure (RR [exposed/not exposed] = 1.20; 95% CI, 1.19-1.22). Risk of OSA was increased by deployment (RR [deployed/not deployed] = 2.14; 95% CI, 2.11-2.17), but not combat exposure (RR [exposed/not exposed] = 1.00; 95% CI, 0.98-1.02). These relationships remained after accounting for other factors in multivariable analyses. A number of comorbid medical conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury mediated a portion of the association between the sleep disorders and deployment. It is essential to determine underlying mechanisms responsible for these very large increases in insomnia and OSA and introduce effective preventive measures.
-
8.
Epidemiological study of metabolic syndrome in Brazilian soldiers.
Fortes, MSR, Rosa, SED, Coutinho, W, Neves, EB
Archives of endocrinology and metabolism. 2019;(4):345-350
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to carry out an epidemiological analysis of metabolic syndrome among Brazilian Army soldiers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Two thousand seven hundred and nineteen male soldiers of the Brazilian Army were evaluated from 2014 to 2016. Characteristics: age = 27.77 (± 8.59) years and BMI = 25.15 (± 3.41) kg/m2. Blood tests and anthropometric measures were performed following the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation Task Force on MS Epidemiology and Prevention, 2009. The epidemiological analysis was based on Odds ratio (OR) with confidence interval (CI). RESULTS The prevalence of MS found was 12.21%. Both WC and BMI proved to be good predictors of changes in MS physiological markers. Increased WC and BMI were strongly associated with all physiological markers. Soldiers with WC ≥ 90 were more likely to present MS with OR = 33.37 (24.37-45.7). Soldiers with WC ≥ 90 also presented high risk of: high triglycerides with OR = 5.98 (4.69-7.61); low HLD-c with OR = 1.78 (1.47-2.16); and increased systolic blood pressure OR = 3.10 (2.55-3.76). Soldiers with BMI ≥ 30 had a high risk of: increased glucose with OR = 2.69 (1.93-3.75); and increased diastolic blood pressure with OR = 3.02 (2.22-4.10). CONCLUSION Both WC and BMI can be considered as good predictors of changes in MS physiological markers. We believe that WC and BMI should be used as screening tools to indicate the soldiers that must undergo blood tests to monitor MS prevalence.
-
9.
Resilience Among Caregivers of Injured Service Members: Finding the Strengths in Caregiving.
Dreer, LE, Cox, MK, McBrayer, A, Neumeier, WH, Herman, C, Malone, LA
Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 2019;(4S):S76-S84
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the relationships between caregiver resilience and a comprehensive set of sociodemographic and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) predictors among both caregivers and injured service members. DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis of an observational cohort. SETTING Community dwelling. PARTICIPANTS Caregivers (n=87) who provide instrumental or emotional support to injured service members (n=73)(N=160). INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 25-item version. RESULTS Higher caregiver resilience scores were related to lower depressive symptom severity, greater health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, stress management, and problem-solving orientation. A multivariable regression model showed that spiritual growth and aspects of problem-solving orientation were significantly related to resilience. CONCLUSIONS Results highlight the relationships between resilience and spirituality, problem-solving orientation, and aspects of HRQOL among caregivers of injured service members. These findings have important implications for caregiver behavioral health programs designed to promote resilience and draw upon caregiver strengths when taking on a caregiver role. Approaches that include a more integrative medicine or strengths-based emphasis may be particularly beneficial when working with families of injured military.
-
10.
The effects of caffeine on marksmanship accuracy and reaction time: a systematic review.
Torres, C, Kim, Y
Ergonomics. 2019;(8):1023-1032
Abstract
Military and law enforcement personnel are required to maintain optimal marksman accuracy and reaction time during extended duty hours amidst environmental stressors. Although caffeine is commonly used to mitigate the consequences of fatigue, the effects of caffeine on marksmanship accuracy are inconclusive. The purpose of this review was to determine the effect of caffeine on marksman accuracy and reaction time. A literature search was conducted and 17 articles were selected for review based on relevance and methodological quality. Caffeine consistently improved marksman reaction time but did not improve marksmanship accuracy. However, there is some evidence that caffeine attenuates performance decrements in marksman accuracy caused by stress and fatigue if optimal dosing strategies are employed. Dosing strategies timed according to hours of wakefulness and time before testing could prevent performance deterioration. Doses of 100-200 mg every 2 hours may effectively improve accuracy during extended duty; however, further research is needed. Practitioner Summary: The purpose of this review was to determine the effect of caffeine on marksman accuracy and reaction time. A literature search was conducted and 17 articles were selected for review based on relevance and methodological quality. Caffeine consistently improved marksman reaction time but did not improve marksmanship accuracy.