The effects of a carbohydrate-protein drink on performance and mood in U.S. Pararescue trainees
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2010-06
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Abstract
Carbohydrate-protein (CHO-PRO) beverages have been reported to improve endurance performance; however, no studies have been conducted on elite military combatants in a field setting in a fed state. Thus, the primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a CHO-PRO supplement on physical performance and mood in U.S. Air Force Pararescue indoctrination trainees. Eight, healthy U.S. Air Force Pararescue indoctrination trainees completed a double-blind, randomized crossover study. Following a morning meal (592 kcal), subjects completed a 2000 m swim, physically demanding water activities, calisthenics (push-ups, pull-ups, curl-ups and flutter-kicks), a 6.4 km run, and a 400 m exhaustive run. Supplements (600 ml x 5 doses) were provided throughout the study and consisted of a placebo (PLA), an 8.9% carbohydrate solution (CHO), and a 7.22% carbohydrate/1.81% protein solution (CHO-PRO). Times (minutes and seconds) and repetitions were used to assess physical performance, and subjective mood states were determined using the Profile of Mood States Questionnaire (POMS). No differences were observed between the CHO-PRO, CHO, and PLA groups on any of the physical performance measures or mood states. These results suggest that, in the fed state, a CHO-PRO beverage does not enhance physical performance or mood during a series of physically demanding activities lasting < 1 h in duration in U.S. Air Force Pararescue indoctrination trainees.
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Scholars@Duke
Heath Gasier
I am a physiologist who joined Duke University in 2019 after retiring from military service. My research has focused on understanding how oxidant stress impacts cellular and systems physiology. Initially, I studied in humans how hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) within the therapeutic range and high altitude influence nitric oxide production, antioxidant defenses, tissue oxygenation and muscle performance. This work sparked my interest in redox biology and led me to train under Dr. Claude A. Piantadosi at Duke University. Here, I began to study in mice and rats the impact of extreme HBO2 on the central nervous system (CNS). The objectives were to identify in rodents the origin and mechanisms of CNS oxygen toxicity, and test targeted pharmacological intervention strategies. It was during this time that I became interested in heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). During my final military assignment, I continued to work on HBO2 and CNS oxygen toxicity related research (pharmacological intervention) and initiated new studies examining how HO-1 induction influences musculoskeletal health in diet-induced obesity. These studies led to follow-on work aimed at determining the mechanisms of HO-1 induction and mitochondrial dynamic regulation in an in vitro model of diet-induced obesity. In addition, I was involved in research aimed at understanding how antioxidants influence skeletal muscle mitochondrial dynamics in rodents and cells exposed heat stress and extreme high altitude.
Since returning to Duke University, I continue to conduct research focused on understanding how oxidant stress induced by HBO2 and obesity influences mitochondrial dynamic regulation in the brain, lung and skeletal muscle. I am now studying how sarcopenia and gender influence these responses. I am also involved (Co-I) in research testing the efficacy of a home-based high intensity interval training program in COVID-19 critical illness and early parenteral nutrition in abdominal trauma victims. In both of these studies, my efforts will be directed towards measuring inflammation and mitochondrial quality control responses to the interventions, which are linked to HO-1 activation.
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