Effects of Protein Supplementation on Lean Body Mass Recovery From Extreme Military Training

NCT ID: NCT02057094

Last Updated: 2017-07-21

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

71 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2014-01-31

Study Completion Date

2015-03-31

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the physiological consequences of extreme military training and determine whether protein supplementation enhances recovery by promoting gains in lean body mass. This study will be conducted at the US Marine Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape (SERE) school at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

SERE school may be an ideal setting to assess nutritional interventions that promote recovery from severe military operational stress, and identify innate or experiential variables that may lead to increased levels of resilience in Warfighters. Our laboratory has recently demonstrated the detrimental effects and stressful nature of SERE. Heart rates and stress-related hormones increased dramatically, with concomitant reductions in circulating anabolic hormones. Additionally, SERE causes significant weight loss (15-20 lbs), which probably included lean body mass. The effects of severe operational stress induced by SERE, particularly the loss of lean mass, may degrade physical performance, increase injury risk, and compromise military readiness. Under controlled laboratory conditions, consuming high protein diets or supplemental high-quality protein promotes muscle protein retention, enhances muscle protein synthesis, and protects lean body mass in response to stress. Whether consuming supplemental protein promotes lean mass recovery and physiological resilience following a 'real-world' military stress has not been determined. Further, the level of supplemental protein necessary to optimize recovery from extreme military operational stress has not been elucidated.

Up to 90 US Marines will be enrolled in a 46-day double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Using complex body composition measurements, kinetic modeling of human metabolism, blood sampling and cognitive and nutrition questionnaires, the consequences of SERE and the efficacy of protein recovery nutrition on lean mass accretion and Warfighter resilience will be assessed.

We hypothesize that consuming a specially formulated, high-quality supplemental protein ration item will speed recovery of lean body mass, physiological, and psychological resilience following extreme military operational stress.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Military Operational Stress Reaction Malnutrition (Calorie) Weight Loss Muscle Wasting

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Investigators

Study Groups

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Control

Dining facility recovery feeding only, no supplemental protein consumed (an isoenergetic, carbohydrate supplement will be consumed by those assigned to the Control group)

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Protein, High-Protein, and Control

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Protein

Consume dining facility food with:

2, 20 g whey protein supplements daily (for \~27 days)

1, 40 g casein protein supplement daily (for \~27 days)

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Protein, High-Protein, and Control

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

High-Protein

Consume dining facility food with:

2, 40 g whey protein supplements daily (\~27 days)

1, 50 g casein protein supplement daily (\~27 days)

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Protein, High-Protein, and Control

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Interventions

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Protein, High-Protein, and Control

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Other Intervention Names

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Whey and Casein protein Carbohydrate-based control

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* US Marines at least 18 years old, enrolled in US Marine SERE school

Exclusion Criteria

* Self-reported allergies to dairy products
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

MALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine

FED

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Stefan M Pasiakos, Ph.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

USARIEM Military Nutrition Division

Locations

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US Marine SERE School

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Berryman CE, Sepowitz JJ, McClung HL, Lieberman HR, Farina EK, McClung JP, Ferrando AA, Pasiakos SM. Supplementing an energy adequate, higher protein diet with protein does not enhance fat-free mass restoration after short-term severe negative energy balance. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2017 Jun 1;122(6):1485-1493. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01039.2016. Epub 2017 Apr 6.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28385919 (View on PubMed)

Berryman CE, McClung HL, Sepowitz JJ, Gaffney-Stomberg E, Ferrando AA, McClung JP, Pasiakos SM. Testosterone status following short-term, severe energy deficit is associated with fat-free mass loss in U.S. Marines. Physiol Rep. 2022 Sep;10(18):e15461. doi: 10.14814/phy2.15461.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 36117330 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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14-02H

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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