A systematic review of the nutritional implications of military rations

Background: The objective of this study was to assess military rations. Military rations must provide military personnel with suitable nutrition, as high-quality nutrition is crucial for promoting health. Aim: This systematic review provides information regarding the nutritional design of military rations according to energy and protein intake and supplements. Methods: A systematic search was conducted for articles published to date regarding the nutritional needs involved in a military diet for an active population of either gender, ranging from 18 to 60 years old, without excluding material by year, type of document, location, or author. The pertinent articles found were published from 1994 to 2017. Results: Physical activity and environmental factors directly affect calculating energy needs and carbohydrate intake when designing military rations. However, the results showed no influence on protein, fat and/or sodium intake. Furthermore, the search revealed that military populations have a high intake of dietary supplements; it is thus worth considering their incorporation into campaign rations. Conclusion: Military personnel macro- and micro-nutrient needs depend on physical activity and nutrient intake measurement methodologies. The data regarding military personnel dietary supplement consumption indicated that this is a niche worth considering when designing military rations. Research on nutritional needs for military rations could concentrate on optimizing the amount of macro- and micro-nutrients and their biological value, according to physical activity, as well as maintaining their sensory quality, safety and shelf life using different processing technologies.

Download Full-text

Modulation of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage, Inflammation, and Oxidative Markers by Curcumin Supplementation in a Physically Active Population: A Systematic Review

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12020501 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 501 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Diego Fernández-Lázaro ◽

Juan Mielgo-Ayuso ◽

Jesús Seco Calvo ◽

Alfredo Córdova Martínez ◽

Alberto Caballero García ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Muscle Damage ◽

Exercise Performance ◽

Subjective Perception ◽

Physically Active ◽

Active Population ◽

Oxidative Markers ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Exercise Induced

Physical activity, particularly high-intensity eccentric muscle contractions, produces exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). The breakdown of muscle fibers and the consequent inflammatory responses derived from EIMD affect exercise performance. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol extracted from turmeric, has been shown to have mainly antioxidant and also anti-inflammatory properties. This effect of curcumin could improve EIMD and exercise performance. The main objective of this systematic review was to critically evaluate the effectiveness of curcumin supplementation on EIMD and inflammatory and oxidative markers in a physically active population. A structured search was carried out following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines in the databases SCOPUS, Web of Science (WOS), and Medline (PubMed) from inception to October 2019. The search included original articles with randomized controlled crossover or parallel design in which the intake of curcumin administered before and/or after exercise was compared with an identical placebo situation. No filters were applied to the type of physical exercise performed, the sex or the age of the participants. Of the 301 articles identified in the search, 11 met the established criteria and were included in this systematic review. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the McMaster Critical Review Form. The use of curcumin reduces the subjective perception of the intensity of muscle pain; reduces muscle damage through the decrease of creatine kinase (CK); increases muscle performance; has an anti-inflammatory effect by modulating the pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8; and may have a slight antioxidant effect. In summary, the administration of curcumin at a dose between 150–1500 mg/day before and during exercise, and up until 72 h’ post-exercise, improved performance by reducing EIMD and modulating the inflammation caused by physical activity. In addition, humans appear to be able to tolerate high doses of curcumin without significant side-effects.

Download Full-text

Dietary, physical activity, and weight management interventions among active-duty military personnel: a systematic review

Military Medical Research ◽

10.1186/s40779-018-0190-5 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ahmad M. Malkawi ◽

Ree M. Meertens ◽

Stef P. J. Kremers ◽

Ester F. C. Sleddens

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Weight Management ◽

Military Personnel ◽

Active Duty ◽

Management Interventions ◽

Active Duty Military

Download Full-text

Amount and type of physical activity and sports from one year forward after hip or knee arthroplasty—A systematic review

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0261784 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (12) ◽

pp. e0261784

Author(s):

Yvet Mooiweer ◽

Inge van den Akker-Scheek ◽

Martin Stevens ◽

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Knee Arthroplasty ◽

Sports Participation ◽

Hip Resurfacing ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Physically Active ◽

Active Population ◽

One Year ◽

Insight Into

Introduction After rehabilitation following total hip or knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA), patients are advised to participate in physical activity (PA) and sports. However, profound insight into whether people adopt a physically active lifestyle is lacking. Aim is to gain insight into the performed amount and type of PA (including sports) and time spent sedentarily by persons after THA/TKA. Methods A systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD42020178556). Pubmed, Cinahl, EMBASE and PsycInfo were systematically searched for articles reporting on amount of PA, and on the kind of activities performed between January 1995-January 2021. Quality of the articles was assessed with the adapted tool from Borghouts et al. Results The search retrieved 5029 articles, leading to inclusion of 125 articles reporting data of 123 groups; 53 articles reported on subjects post-THA, 16 on post-hip-resurfacing arthroplasty, 40 on post-TKA, 15 on post-unicompartimental knee arthroplasty and 12 on a mix of arthroplasty types. With respect to quality assessment, 14 articles (11%) met three or fewer criteria, 29 (24%) met four, 32 (26%) met five, 42 (34%) met six, and 6 (5%) met seven out of the eight criteria. PA levels were comparable for THA and TKA, showing a low to moderately active population. Time spent was mostly of low intensity. Roughly 50% of -subjects met health-enhancing PA guidelines. They spent the largest part of their day sedentarily. Sports participation was relatively high (rates above 70%). Most participation was in low-impact sports at a recreational level. Roughly speaking, participants were engaged in sports 3 hours/week, consisting of about three 1-hour sessions. Conclusion Activity levels seem to be low; less than half of them seemed to perform the advised amount of PA following health-enhancing guidelines Sports participation levels were high. However, many articles were unclear about the definition of sports participation, which could have led to overestimation.

Download Full-text

Health needs of ex-military personnel in the UK: a systematic review and qualitative synthesis

Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps ◽

10.1136/jramc-2018-001101 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 165 (6) ◽

pp. 410-415 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Steven L Senior

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Military Personnel ◽

General Public ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Qualitative Synthesis ◽

Military Population ◽

Needs Assessments ◽

Military Populations ◽

Study Designs ◽

Published Research

BackgroundDespite all local authorities in England signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant, only a small proportion of Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (JSNAs) include detailed consideration of the health of the local ex-military population. This article supports improvements to JSNAs by systematically reviewing published research for evidence of differences in health between the ex-military population and the general public.MethodsSystematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses methodology for qualitative synthesis of mixed study designs. SCOPUS, PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for published research on health outcomes among UK ex-military populations. All study designs were included.Results43 studies met the inclusion criteria. Rates of mental illness and hearing loss are higher among ex-military populations compared with the general public, while rates of cancer among ex-military personnel born after 1960 are lower. Despite high rates of hazardous drinking among serving personnel, rates of alcohol-related harm among ex-military populations are no higher than the general public. There is a subpopulation at increased risk of a range of adverse outcomes. This group is variously identified as younger, male, less educated, more likely to have served in a combat role and/or left service early.ConclusionsThis review found evidence of areas of increased and reduced disease burden among ex-military populations. More detailed information on the make-up of the local ex-service population would support more meaningful needs assessments. The Ministry of Defence and local authorities and service providers should work together to support early identification and targeted support for those at the highest risk of adverse outcomes.

Download Full-text