Page 24 - gfs0318_Magazine

FUELING PERFORMANCE

The Performance Readiness Bar was designed based
upon evidence researchers from the U.S. Army Research
Institute of Environmental Medicine collected from
warfighters during initial entry training, indicating that
a calcium and vitamin D-fortified snack item may op-
timize nutritional status while reducing injury. After
collaborating with the Combat Feeding Directorate, the
Performance Readiness Bar will be fully implemented at
all four Army basic training locations in 2018.
(Photo Credit: Adam Wyatt, TATRC)
Dr. Erin Gaffney-Stomberg, center, a researcher
from the U.S. Army Research Institute of Envi-
Relieving
ronmental Medicine, or USARIEM, discusses
the collaborative effort between USARIEM and
the Department of Defense Combat Feeding
Directorate to develop a calcium and vitamin
D-fortified snack bar that could reduce the
Stress Fractures
amount of stress fractures during initial mili-
tary training. (Photo by Adam Wyatt, TATRC)

Fortified Snack Bar Builds Bone
Strength for High Physical Activity

he U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental calcium and vitamin D intake during Initial Military Training
Medicine (USARIEM) is rolling out a snack bar at in order to optimize the bones’ anabolic response to training,
Tthe four Army basic training locations that it de- as stronger bones are more resistant to stress fractures,” said
veloped to optimize bone health and reduce stress fractures Gaffney-Stomberg, a research physiologist from USARIEM’s
in basic trainees. Military Performance Division. “Our findings indicate that
Use of the Performance Readiness Bar will be fully imple- calcium and vitamin D requirements during IMT are higher
mented at all four Army basic training locations in 2018 than other times in order to support bone health.”
after being introduced at Fort Benning, Ga., in the sum- Performing high physical activity while these nutri-
mer of 2017. The Air Force currently gives basic trainees a ent levels are low starts to cause stress-fracture problems.
commercial protein bar after dinner and before lights out. “Ninety-nine percent of the body’s calcium is stored in the
“Because the U.S. population at large is generally less skeleton, and vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and
fit, many of the new Army recruits are not physically and strengthen bones,” Gaffney-Stomberg added.
physiologically ready to endure the rigors of Army IMT “When you do not get enough calcium in your diet,
[Initial Military Training],” said Dr. Stephen Muza, deputy your body will mine calcium out of your bones to support
director of Science and Technology at USARIEM. “Conse- vital functions like muscle contraction and nerve conduc-
quently, many well-educated and motivated recruits suffer tion, at the expense of your skeleton,” Gaffney-Stomberg
skeletal injuries that can lead to their medical disqualification said. “Over time, this will weaken bone, making it more
from military duty. The Performance Readiness Bar is one susceptible to fracture.”
elegant solution to this problem that will reduce attrition Another motivation for research to develop a solu-
and personnel costs associated with IMT. This will lead to tion that builds bone strength was the alarmingly high
increased Army readiness.” percentage of recruits experiencing stress fractures, par-
The Performance Readiness Bar is a calcium and vitamin ticularly among females. “Stress fractures occur after un-
D-fortified snack bar that USARIEM developed because re- accustomed activities or overuse, such as carrying heavy
cruits often arrive to basic training with poor calcium and loads — common during basic training,” said Dr. James
vitamin D status, making their bones more vulnerable to McClung, deputy chief of USARIEM’s Military Nutrition
stress fractures and other injuries. Division. “Up to 20 percent of female recruits and 5 percent
“USARIEM has been researching the requirements for of male recruits suffer from stress fractures during IMT.
24 GOVERNMENT FOOD SERVICE • MARCH 2018