Effects of Pork Protein Ingestion Prior to and Following Performing the Army Combat Fitness Test on Markers of Catabolism, Inflammation, and Recovery

Tactical athletes and military personnel engaged in intense exercise need to consume enough quality protein in their diet to maintain protein balance and promote recovery. Plant-based protein sources contain fewer essential amino acids (EAAs), while pork loin contains a higher concentration of EAAs and creatine than most other animal protein sources. This study aimed to determine whether the ingestion of plant-based or pork-based military-style meals ready-to-eat (MREs) affects recovery from and subsequent Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) performance. <b>Methods:</b> Twenty-three (<i>n</i> = 23) University Corps of Cadets members participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and crossover-designed study. Diets were prepared by a dietitian, food scientist, and chef to have similar taste, appearance, texture, and macronutrient content. The chef also labeled the meals for double-blind administration. Participants refrained from intense exercise for 48 h before reporting to the lab in a fasted condition with a 24 h urine sample. Participants donated a blood sample, completed questionnaires and cognitive function tests, and consumed a pre-exercise meal. After four hours, participants performed the ACFT according to military standards. Participants were fed three MREs daily while returning to the lab in a fasted condition at 0600 with 24 h urine samples after 24, 48, and 72 h of recovery. On day 3, participants repeated the ACFT four hours after consuming an MRE for breakfast. Participants resumed normal training and returned to the lab after 2-3 weeks to repeat the experiment while consuming the alternate diet. Data were analyzed using general linear model statistics with repeated measures and percent changes from baseline with 95% confidence intervals. <b>Results:</b> Results revealed that 3 days were sufficient for participants to replicate ACFT performance. However, those consuming the pork-based diet experienced less muscle soreness, urinary urea excretion, cortisol, inflammation, and depression scores while experiencing a higher testosterone/cortisol ratio and appetite satisfaction. There was also evidence of more favorable changes in red and white blood cells. Conversely, blood lipid profiles were more favorably changed when following a plant-based diet. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings suggest that protein quality and the availability of creatine in the diet can affect recovery from intense military-style exercise. Minimally, plant-based MREs should include 6-10 g/d of EAA and 2-3 g/d of creatine monohydrate to offset dietary deficiencies, particularly in military personnel following a vegetarian diet. Registered clinical trial #ISRCTN47322504.