Compressed food with added functional oligopeptides improves performance during military endurance training

Area of Science:

• Sports Nutrition
• Exercise Physiology
• Military Performance

Background:

• Oligosaccharide and oligopeptide supplementation may enhance endurance.
• Compressed food (CF) is a dietary strategy for soldiers.
• The impact of MO and SO supplementation in CF on military physical response is unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of maltooligosaccharides (MO) and soy oligopeptides (SO) added to compressed food (CF) on soldiers' physical response during military training.

Main Methods:

• Twelve soldiers participated in a crossover study with four diet groups: regular meals, CF, CFMO, and CFSO.
• Exercise tests included 90 minutes of running and exhaustive running.
• Physiological markers (heart rate, blood glucose, lactate, hematocrit, urine specific gravity) were monitored.

Main Results:

• CFMO significantly lowered recovery heart rate and increased blood glucose.
• CFMO and CFSO diets enhanced blood lactate removal post-exercise.
• CFSO increased post-exercise erythrocytes, hematocrit, and fluid retention (lower urine specific gravity).

Conclusions:

• Maltooligosaccharide supplementation in compressed food improves cardiovascular recovery and glucose metabolism.
• Soy oligopeptide supplementation aids lactate clearance and hydration.
• Both MO and SO show potential benefits for physical performance in military settings.