Sex Differences in Dietary Intake in British Army Recruits undergoing Phase One training

Background: British Army Phase One training exposes men and women to challenging distances of 13.5 km·d⁻¹ vs. 11.8 km·d⁻¹ and energy expenditures of ~4000 kcal·d⁻¹ and ~3000 kcal·d⁻¹, respectively. As such, it is essential that adequate nutrition is provided to support training demands. However, to date, there is a paucity of data on habitual dietary intake of British Army recruits. The aims of this study were to: (i) compare habitual dietary intake in British Army recruits undergoing Phase One training to Military Dietary Reference Values (MDRVs), and (ii) establish if there was a relative sex difference in dietary intake between men and women. Method: Researcher led weighed food records and food diaries were used to assess dietary intake in twenty-eight women (age 21.4 ± 3.0 yrs., height: 163.7 ± 5.0 cm, body mass 65.0 ± 6.7 kg), and seventeen men (age 20.4 ± 2.3 yrs., height: 178.0 ± 7.9 cm, body mass 74.6 ± 8.1 kg) at the Army Training Centre, Pirbright for 8-days in week ten of training. Macro and micronutrient content were estimated using dietary analysis software (Nutritics, Dublin) and assessed via an independent sample t-test to establish if there was a sex difference in daily energy, macro or micronutrient intakes. Results: Estimated daily energy intake was less than the MDRV for both men and women, with men consuming a greater amount of energy compared with women (2846 ± 573 vs. 2207 ± 585 kcal·day⁻¹, p0.030, ES=0.67). There were no differences in dietary fat intake between men and women (1.5 ± 0.2 vs. 1.5 ± 0.5 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹, p=0.483, ES=0.00). Conclusions: Daily EI in men and women in Phase One training does not meet MDRVs. Interventions to increase macronutrient intakes should be considered along with research investigating the potential benefits for increasing different macronutrient intakes on training adaptations

ASSESSMENT OF LINEAR SPRINTING PERFORMANCE: A THEORETICAL PARADIGM

The purpose of this manuscript is to describe a theoretical paradigm from which to more accurately assess linear sprinting performance. More importantly, the model describes how to interpret test results in order to pinpoint weaknesses in linear sprinting performance and design subsequent training programs. A retrospective, quasi-experimental cross sectional analysis was performed using 86 Division I female soccer and lacrosse players. Linear sprinting performance was assessed using infrared sensors at 9.14, 18.28, 27.42, and 36.58 meter distances. Cumulative (9.14, 18.28, 27.42, and 36.58 meter) and individual (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th 9.14 meter) split times were used to illustrate the theoretical paradigm. Sub-groups were identified from the sample and labelled as above average (faster), average, and below average (slower). Statistical analysis showed each sub-group was significantly different from each other (fast < average < slow). From each sub-group select individuals were identified by having a 36.58 meter time within 0.05 seconds of each other (n = 11, 13, and 7, respectively). Three phases of the sprint test were suggested to exist and called initial acceleration (0-9.14 m), middle acceleration (9.14-27.42 m), and metabolic-stiffness transition (27.42-36.58 m). A new model for assessing and interpreting linear sprinting performance was developed. Implementation of this paradigm should assist sport performance professionals identify weaknesses, minimize training errors, and maximize training adaptations

Cellular accumulation of heat shock protein (Hsp) 72i in fetuses of trained rats

Forty-five Sprague-Dawley rats (60–80 days old) were randomly placed into one of three groups: sedentary pregnant control (PC); prepregnancy trained animals that exercised throughout pregnancy (PR); and nonpregnant trained animals (NPR). Each exercising animal ran at approximately 60–70% aerobic capacity (V̇O2max) for 1 hour/day up to and including day 18 of gestation (term = 21 days). On day 20 of gestation, fetuses were excised from each pregnant animal and scrutinized for gross abnormalities. In 3 randomly chosen fetuses from each litter, brain, heart, kidney, hind limb, and placental tissues were removed to assess the accumulation of the inducible isoform of the 70-kilodalton heat shock protein (Hsp 72i). No significant differences were detected between fetal hearts, hind limbs, or placental tissues of PC or PR groups. No Hsp 72i signal could be detected in fetal kidney or brain tissues from either pregnant group. Results indicate that maternal core temperature did not reach the threshold that would induce either gross fetal abnormalities or a fetal heat shock protein response. However, fetal and placental growth was reduced by the exercise protocol