In this issue:
- Energy requirements
- energy supplements
- Nutritional strategies
- Micronutrients
- Immune function
Background
This report, the sixth in a series, reviews activities related to the Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) project on wildland firefighter health and safety. The project focuses on three main areas:
Work, Rest, and FatigueDevelopment of an objective approach for the determination of work/rest standards and recommended assignment lengths for crews and overhead teams
Energy and nutrition
Improvement of the energy intake, nutrition, and immune function of
wildland firefighters
Fitness and work capacity
Implementation of work capacity and medical standards, and improvement
of the health, safety, and productivity of firefighters
This report focuses on energy and nutrition, and their influence on health and performance. MTDC reviewed the relevant literature, interviewed firefighters, met with contracting officers, and conducted field studies. The suggestions that follow provide a basic approach to wildland firefighter nutrition that ensures adequate energy and nutrients, supports immune function and health, maintains cognitive function, and delays fatigue during arduous wildland firefighting. Our field studies corroborate existing research, such as that found in the document, Military Strategies for Sustainment of Nutrition and Immune Function in the Field (published by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 708 pp. 1999).
A firefighter samples his blood glucose level during a study
of the effects of carbohydrate supplementation.
The featured topic of this report outlines basic recommenda-tions for feeding the wildland firefighter. The research section provides documented support for the recommendations, including the results of recent field studies on wildland firefighters. The risk management section details the problems associated with low blood glucose (hypoglycemia). The field notes section provides additional food for thought.
