Physiological Response to Protein and Energy-enhanced Food Products During Winter Military Training

Soldiers commonly lose muscle mass during training and combat operations that produce large energy deficits (i.e., calories burned \> calories consumed). Developing new combat ration products that increase energy intake (i.e., energy dense foods) or the amount and quality of protein consumed (i.e., essential amino acid \[EAA\] content) may prevent muscle breakdown and stimulate muscle repair and muscle maintenance during unavoidable energy deficit. The primary objective of this study is to determine the effects of prototype recovery food products that are energy dense or that provide increased amounts of EAAs (anabolic component of dietary protein) on energy balance, whole-body net protein balance, and indices of physiological status during strenuous winter military training.