Survival Training
Conditions
Brief summary
Sustained high-intensity activity, such as survival training with little nourishment available, can result in a loss of muscle performance. This study will examine the effects of a nutritional supplement to maintain muscle and muscle performance during this period.
Detailed description
Sustained high intensity activity that is often accompanied by sleep and nutrient deprivation is a common characteristic of survival training. Survival training is a requirement in the preparation of pilots, where they learn evasion and survival skills that they may need to avoid capture in a situation in which they have bailed from their plane. The physiological stresses associated with the nature of these operations often results in significant decrements in lean body mass, muscle size and muscle endurance and power. During a sudden evacuation from the aircraft the pilot only takes a small survival bag. There is a limit to what can possibly be put in this bag. However, the ability to provide a dietary supplement specifically targeting muscle may provide an important resource for maintaining muscle mass and performance. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of 14 days of HMB-FA ingestion on maintaining muscle architecture and muscle performance during 4-days of survival training. In addition, anabolic and catabolic markers of stress, inflammation and muscle damage will be assessed.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTHMB-FA
Sponsors
Koach Sport and Nutrition
Metabolic Technologies Inc.
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 27 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* 18 to 27 Years of age * Soldier members of Special Operations * Healthy as assessed by the Unit's Medical Officers * Subject provides written and dated informed consent to participate
Exclusion criteria
* A history of medical or surgical events that may significantly affect the study outcome, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic, renal, hepatic, or musculoskeletal disorders * Use of medications that may affect the study outcomes * Use of nutritional supplements (such as protein drinks, creatine, HMB and vitamins) in the 3 months prior to the start of the study * Subject is currently participating in another clinical trial or has received an investigational product within thirty days prior to screening/enrollment
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle Strength | Day 18 | Hand grip strength will be measured using a hand-grip dynamometer. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle Power | Day 18 | Vertical Jump power will be measured using a linear transducer. |
| Muscle Morphology | Day 18 | Muscle morphology will be measured using a 3.0 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging device. |
| Muscle Mass | Day 18 | Muscle mass will be performed using bioelectrical impedance |
| Blood Biochemical Analysis | Day 18 | Blood biochemical analysis will be performed using an ELISA assay. |
| Urine Biochemical Analysis | Day 18 | Urine biochemical analysis will be performed using an ELISA assay. |
Countries
Israel
Outcome results
None listed