Abstract des Autors

Nutrient intakes and selected blood and urinary constituents of 16 Navy servicemen were obtained before and during a period of 113 hours of physical activity, sleep deprivation, and psychological stress, to document the dietary adaptation of physically conditioned men to an extended period of hard physical work and other stresses. Food intakes were monitored by 1-day diet records prior to and by direct observation during the period. The factorial method was used to calculate energy expenditure. Carbohydrates provided 45 and 43 of the total energy intake before and during the experiment. Protein intakes and intakes of all the vitamins and minerals studied exceeded the Recommended Dietary Allowances, both before and during the period. Total energy intake averaged 18.7 MJ/d before and 24.4 MJ/d during the experiment. Body weight increased significantly by 2.7 +/- 0.4 kg (mean +/- s.e.) during the experiment. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.74) between the change in body weight and urinary sodium from before to after the experiment suggesting that increased dietary sodium may have contributed to the weight gain. A significant increase in plasma volume (11.9 +/- 3.2) provided further support that the observed weight gain was due to sodium intake rather than a positive energy balance. In conclusion, conditioned men increased food consumption adequately to meet increased energy demands.