Enhanced physical and cognitive performance in active duty Airmen: evidence from a randomized multimodal physical fitness and nutritional intervention

Achieving military mission objectives requires high levels of performance from Airmen who operate under extreme physical and cognitive demands. Thus, there is a critical need to establish scientific interventions to enhance physical fitness and cognitive performance—promoting the resilience of Airmen and aiding in mission success. We therefore conducted a comprehensive, 12-week randomized controlled trial in active-duty Air Force Airmen ( n = 148) to compare the efficacy of a multimodal intervention comprised of high-intensity interval aerobic fitness and strength training paired with a novel nutritional supplement [comprised of β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB), lutein, phospholipids, DHA and selected micronutrients including B12 and folic acid] to high-intensity interval aerobic fitness and strength training paired with a standard of care placebo beverage. The exercise intervention alone improved several dimensions of physical fitness [strength and endurance (+ 7.8%), power (+ 1.1%), mobility and stability (+ 18.3%), heart rate (− 1.3%) and lean muscle mass (+ 1.1%)] and cognitive function [(episodic memory (+ 19.9%), processing efficiency (+ 4.6%), executive function reaction time (− 5.8%) and fluid intelligence accuracy (+ 11.0%)]. Relative to exercise training alone, the multimodal fitness and nutritional intervention further improved working memory (+ 11.2%), fluid intelligence reaction time (− 6.2%), processing efficiency (+ 4.3%), heart rate (− 2.3%) and lean muscle mass (+ 1.6%). These findings establish the efficacy of a multimodal intervention that incorporates aerobic fitness and strength training with a novel nutritional supplement to enhance military performance objectives and to provide optimal exercise training and nutritional support for the modern warfighter.