标题：Enhanced physical and cognitive performance in active duty Airmen: evidence from a randomized multimodal physical fitness and nutritional intervention
摘要：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 β-hydroxy β-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.
其他摘要：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 β-hydroxy β-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.
