EFFECT OF REDUCED RATION AND METHOD OF LOAD CARRYING ON PHYSICAL FITNESS AND ENERGY EXPENDITURE OF SMALL GROUPS OF MEN OPERATING ON THE GREENLAND ICECAP

• Main Authors: Kreider,Marlin B., Vaughan,John A., Dee,Thomas
• Other Authors: ARMY NATICK LABS MASS
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1961
• Subjects: *PHYSICAL FITNESS; NUTRITION; ENERGY; METABOLISM; RESPIRATION; EXERCISE(PHYSIOLOGY); HIGH ALTITUDE; FATIGUE(PHYSIOLOGY); PERFORMANCE(HUMAN); Greenland; Greenland Icecap
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/AD0430067; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=AD0430067

It was found that a reduction of caloric intake of about 40% below the voluntary intake and a resultant 4.5% decrease of body weight during 10 days of hard work did not noticeably effect the performance on the Harvard step test in spite of the high level of exercise and also low motivation. There was, however, subjective evidence of deterioration in the form of a greater sense of fatigue, a lack of enthusiasm, and an increased irritability. Other tests for fitness, the treadmill test and subjective evaluation, did not correlate closely with the Harvard step test. Even though the energy cost of work on the icecap decreased from the beginning to the end of the 10-day experimental period, the reduction was not greater on the reduced ration than on the full ration on a body-weight basis. A load was pulled more easily on sled than carried partly on the sled and partly on the back on the type of snow surface. At around 7,000 feet there was an increase of 8% of the respiratory volume above that at sea level after adjustment to standard temperature and pressure. The volume of inspired air during performance of the mild step test remained higher for at least 12 days after return to sea level, but dropped to the lower level by 19 days at sea level. (Author)