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Energy and Macronutrient Metabolism (Poster Session)

(P04-026-25) Energy Expenditure Assessment Method Comparison in United States Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Dive Candidates

Saturday, May 31, 2025
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM ET
Location: Poster Board B-28

    Presenting Author(s)

  • MP

    Mary Polan, MS

    Research Scientist
    Naval Health Research Center/Leidos
    San Diego, California, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • MS

    Michael S. Stone, PhD

    Research Scientist
    Naval Health Research Center
    San Diego, California, United States

  • MP

    Matthew N. Peterson

    Naval Health Research Center
    San Diego, California, United States

  • TS

    Trisha M. Sterringer

    Naval Health Research Center/Leidos Inc.
    San Diego, California, United States

  • LC

    Lynn A. Cialdella-Kam

    Naval Health Research Center
    San Diego, California, United States

Disclosure(s):
Mary Polan, MS: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: Military personnel under specialized training, such as Navy divers, have high energy demands; however, measured total energy expenditure (TEE) in this population, and variation between dive training environments, has not been thoroughly investigated. The objective of this research was to compare measured resting metabolic rate (RMR) and TEE to predictive equations in United States Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) candidates throughout the dive training cycle.

Methods: Two cohorts of male divers (23±3.2y, n=40) were enrolled at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL, during the first week of preparatory, assessment and selection (prep/select) courses. Both cohorts were assessed during one week of prep/select and one week of training at dive school (Panama City, FL). Measurements taken at beginning and end of the week included height, body weight (BW), body composition via bioelectrical impendence analysis (BIA), and RMR using indirect calorimetry (VO2 Master). Measured TEE (TEEM) using doubly labeled water (DLW; dose =1.5g/kg BW) was compared to estimated TEE (TEEEst) using RMR. Measured RMR (RMRM; i.e., indirect calorimetry) was compared to estimated RMREst using the predictive Cunningham equation. Multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis was used to compare measured to estimated RMR and TEE accounting for location (prep/select, dive school). Data are presented as means ± SE.

Results: BW and BF% declined at both prep/select (BW=84.0 ± 1.7 vs. 81.4 ± 1.6 kg, p< .001; BF%=12.0 ± 1.0 vs 10.5 ± 0.9%; p< .001) and dive school (BW=83.9 ± 2.6 vs 83.2 ± 2.6 kg, p=.01; BF% (9.7 ± 0.8 vs 8.5 ± 0.7%; p=.003). Overall, RMRM (2212.7 ± 49.2 kcal/d) was not different from RMREst (2111.7 ± 31.9 kcal/d; p >.05). TEEEst was higher than TEEM at prep/select (5882.9 ± 120.7 vs. 5224.6 ± 124.4 kcal/d, p< .001; respectively) but lower at dive school (4320.7 ± 176.0 vs 4638.2 ± 171.0 kcal/d, p=.03; respectively).

Conclusions: Cunningham equation provides a reasonable estimate of RMR in male divers. Further methodological development is needed to provide a more accurate and practical estimate of TEE in divers. Data will be used to provide recommendations for dietary intake/energy balance to help optimize training and improve operational readiness.

Funding Sources: Navy Restoral Funding