Nutrition and Physical Activity in British Army Officer Cadet Training Part 2—Daily Distribution of Energy and Macronutrient Intake

Abstract

Dietary intake and physical activity impact performance and adaptation during training. The aims of this study were to compare energy and macronutrient intake during British Army Officer Cadet training with dietary guidelines and describe daily distribution of energy and macronutrient intake and estimated energy expenditure. Thirteen participants (seven women) were monitored during three discrete periods of military training for 9 days on-camp, 5 days of field exercise, and 9 days of a mixture of the two. Dietary intake was measured using researcher-led food weighing and food diaries, and energy expenditure was estimated from wrist-worn accelerometers. Energy intake was below guidelines for men (4,600 kcal/day) and women (3,500 kcal/day) during on-camp training (men = −16% and women = −9%), field exercise (men = −33% and women = −42%), and combined camp and field training (men and women both −34%). Carbohydrate intake of men and women were below guidelines (6 g·kg−1·day−1) during field exercise (men = −18% and women = −37%) and combined camp and field training (men = −33% and women = −39%), respectively. Protein intake was above guidelines (1.2 kcal·kg−1·day−1) for men and women during on-camp training (men = 48% and women = 39%) and was below guidelines during field exercise for women only (−27%). Energy and macronutrient intake during on-camp training centered around mealtimes with a discernible sleep/wake cycle for energy expenditure. During field exercise, energy and macronutrient intake were individually variable, and energy expenditure was high throughout the day and night. These findings could be used to inform evidenced-based interventions to change the amount and timing of energy and macronutrient intake around physical activity to optimize performance and adaptations during military training.