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Enhanced physical and cognitive performance in active duty Airmen: evidence from a randomized multimodal physical fitness and nutritional intervention.

ABSTRACT: Achieving military mission objectives requires high levels of performance from Airmen who operate under extreme physical and cognitive demands. Thus, there is a critical need to establish scientific interventions to enhance physical fitness and cognitive performance-promoting the resilience of Airmen and aiding in mission success. We therefore conducted a comprehensive, 12-week randomized controlled trial in active-duty Air Force Airmen (n?=?148) to compare the efficacy of a multimodal intervention comprised of high-intensity interval aerobic fitness and strength training paired with a novel nutritional supplement [comprised of ?-hydroxy ?-methylbutyrate (HMB), lutein, phospholipids, DHA and selected micronutrients including B12 and folic acid] to high-intensity interval aerobic fitness and strength training paired with a standard of care placebo beverage. The exercise intervention alone improved several dimensions of physical fitness [strength and endurance (+ 8.3%), power (+ 0.85%), mobility and stability (+?22%), heart rate (-?1.1%) and lean muscle mass (+?1.4%)] and cognitive function [(episodic memory (+?9.5%), processing efficiency (+?7.5%), executive function reaction time (-?4.8%) and fluid intelligence accuracy (+?19.5%)]. Relative to exercise training alone, the multimodal fitness and nutritional intervention further improved working memory (+?9.0%), fluid intelligence reaction time (-?7.7%), processing efficiency (+?1.8%), heart rate (-?2.4%) and lean muscle mass (+?1.5%). These findings establish the efficacy of a multimodal intervention that incorporates aerobic fitness and strength training with a novel nutritional supplement to enhance military performance objectives and to provide optimal exercise training and nutritional support for the modern warfighter.

SUBMITTER: Zwilling CE

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7572526 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Enhanced physical and cognitive performance in active duty Airmen: evidence from a randomized multimodal physical fitness and nutritional intervention.

Zwilling Christopher E CE Strang Adam A Anderson Evan E Jurcsisn Jennifer J Johnson Erica E Das Tapas T Kuchan Matthew J MJ Barbey Aron K AK

Scientific reports 20201019 1

Achieving military mission objectives requires high levels of performance from Airmen who operate under extreme physical and cognitive demands. Thus, there is a critical need to establish scientific interventions to enhance physical fitness and cognitive performance-promoting the resilience of Airmen and aiding in mission success. We therefore conducted a comprehensive, 12-week randomized controlled trial in active-duty Air Force Airmen (n = 148) to compare the efficacy of a multimodal intervent ...[more]

PMID: 33077817

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Dataset Information

Enhanced physical and cognitive performance in active duty Airmen: evidence from a randomized multimodal physical fitness and nutritional intervention.

Publications

Enhanced physical and cognitive performance in active duty Airmen: evidence from a randomized multimodal physical fitness and nutritional intervention.

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