Role of amino acids and vitamins in prevention of and rapid recovery from fatigue in the officers and soldiers at high altitude
- Author:
Wen HUANG
1
Author Information
1. Institute of Field Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medicine University
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Amino acids;
Fatigue;
Military personnel
- From:
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army
2012;37(1):14-16
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To explore the role of amino acids and vitamins in the prevention of and recovery from the fatigue related to military operation in the officers and soldiers at high altitude. Methods The participants were 100 officers and soldiers, whose Modified Fatigue Rating Scale (MFIS) scores were >21 points. The participants were randomly divided into three groups: capsule, placebo, and granules. Amino acids capsule (8 kinds of essential amino acids and 11 kinds of vitamins were contained), placebo, or amino acid-fructose beverage was given to respective group for 14 days continuously. The 3000-m running performance of the officers and soldiers stationed on a plateau was measured on the first and 14th days.The maximal grip strength of the right hand, fist-making times per minute, and the height reaching by the hand after three-step run-up for the same candidate were observed before and after fatigue loading (3000-m running).The blood levels of lactic acid and urea nitrogen of the candidates were measured after fatigue loading on the first and the 14th days. Results The 3000-m running performance of officers and soldiers in the capsule and granules groups on the 14th day were better than that of the first day (P<0.05), whereas no significant difference was noted in the placebo group (P>0.05). The difference between the capsule and the granules groups in grip strength, fist-making times per minute, and hand reaching height on the 14th day were obviously lower than that on the first day (P<0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the placebo group (P>0.05). The blood levels of lactic acid and urea nitrogen in the capsule and granules groups on the 14th day were lower than that on the first day (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the placebo group (P>0.05). Conclusions Amino acids and vitamins preparations can obviously improve the military performance capacity of officers and soldiers stationed on the plateau. Similarly, they can effectively prevent the lowering of jumping ability and grip strength caused by military fatigue.Therefore, amino acids and vitamins preparations play an important role in the prevention of and rapid recovery from fatigue in servicemen stationed on plateau.
