Military medicine
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Adequate energy supply is a prerequisite for optimal performances and recovery. The aims of the present study were to estimate energy balance and energy availability during a selection course for Belgian paratroopers. ⋯ Energy intake is not optimal as indicated by the negative energy balance and the low energy availability, which means that the participants to this selection course had to perform in suboptimal conditions.
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Military physicians trained in military Graduate Medical Education programs are uniquely prepared to lead in austere and chaotic environments based on formal and informal curricula taught in military treatment facilities. The coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic highlighted this reality when military-trained physician leaders were challenged to lead change directly from the front.
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Since the beginning of overseas contingency operations, the percent of service members who are considered overweight or obese has tripled to 15% for men and 20% for women. This has implications for national security if the country is unable to staff its military with fit-to-fight individuals. The purpose of this systematic review is to move policy efforts forward by illuminating the efficacy of several lifestyle interventions for active duty service members since 2001. It aims to both identify common aspects of successful interventions and also identify interventions without success so DoD leaders may replace those initiatives. ⋯ However, as a collection, the studies could support the notion that military members get the best results when interventions are convenient, modern, personalized, and accessible. More studies are needed, and future studies with larger sample sizes and longer durations would be valuable in determining efficacy of weight loss interventions. Undoubtedly, enrollment and compliance is difficult with military member moves and competing mission requirements. Ideally, the DoD should work to aggregate the efforts in this field, as many initiatives are not captured, shared, and utilized by other installations or other services. Data silos and unpublished or underdeveloped research reactively addresses issues and does not proactively address them. Policy change will need to be nested in further research, as well as consider the food environment on bases and possible prevention efforts.
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The role of health problems and programs to address problems in keeping the peace has not been scientifically analyzed. We sought to mitigate this gap in knowledge. ⋯ Without such an association or causal link, the role of health programs in peacekeeping and "stability operations" remains ambiguous. Negative findings do not mean that there is no connection between health programs and peace, and further study should be done. Our results have implications for the value of global health engagement missions.
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The year 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of epidural anesthesia by Spanish military surgeon Major Fidel Pagés. The idea for the technique was born from Pagés' experiences in forward military hospitals in North Africa and Austria and would go on to revolutionize the fields of surgery and obstetrics.