Performance, Physiological, and Acceptance Tests of a 1500 KCAL Emergency/Assault Food Packet Diet in a Cold Weather Environment

摘要

A cold weather study was conducted at the US Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in order to assess consumer acceptance of the modified Emergency/Assault Food Packet (E/AP) and to assess performance and physiological effects of the ration at two different caloric levels. During a five-day exercise in a cold-weather climate, one group of Marines was issued the standard C ration (3550 kcal) while half of a second group were issued one E/AP per day (1500 kcal) and the other half, two E/AP's per day (3000 kcal). Acceptance was measured using rating scales during face-to-face interviews and performance was measured by three-mile runs and snowshoe runs. Heart rates were continuously monitored, and repeated measurements were made on a symptoms questionnaire. Results indicated that the E/AP is a highly acceptable ration that holds up well, with some minor exceptions, under field conditions. Generally, no performance or physiological differences were detected either between E/AP and C ration groups or within the E/AP group between the 1500 and 3000 kcal groups. The short duration of the test and mild environmental conditions mitigated against obtaining differences. Further, the heart rate data is based on a small sample. However, greater quantities of water were purportedly required by the E/AP group, not only for rehydrating food but also for drinking. (Author)