Effects of Beef-Forward Ready-to-Eat Meals on Recovery Following Simulated Fire Suppression Activities (FIRE-BEEF)
Effects of Beef-forward Ready-to-eat Meals Before and After Simulated Fire Suppressive Activities on Markers of Cardiometabolic Health, Catabolism, and Recovery: A Pilot Feasibility Study
This clinical trial aims to determine whether consuming beef-based protein before and after physically demanding simulated firefighting activities improves recovery, physical performance, and cognitive performance in healthy adult firefighters. The study will also compare beef-based protein meals with plant-based protein meals.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
Does consuming beef-based protein reduce changes in markers of muscle damage, physiological stress, and muscle soreness following a simulated fire ground test?
Does consuming beef-based protein help maintain or improve physical and cognitive performance during recovery compared with plant-based protein?
Researchers will compare two ready-to-eat meal conditions: beef-based protein, and plant-based protein. Each participant will complete all two conditions in a randomized crossover design, with 14 to 21 days between conditions.
研究概览
地位
详细说明
Firefighting is a physically and cognitively demanding occupation characterized by repeated exposure to strenuous activity, heat stress, heavy personal protective equipment, and time-sensitive occupational tasks. These demands can produce substantial physiological stress and fatigue that may influence recovery and readiness for subsequent occupational activities. Despite the importance of maintaining readiness between demanding events, relatively little is known about how short-term dietary strategies, particularly protein source and intake, influence recovery in career firefighters.
This study will examine the effects of short-term consumption of ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) differing in protein source and quantity on physiological recovery and occupational performance following strenuous simulated firefighting activity. The study uses a randomized, double-blind, repeated-measures crossover design in healthy adult career firefighters. Participants will complete two experimental conditions separated by a 14- to 21-day washout period. The dietary conditions consist of beef-based protein RTEM and plant-based protein RTEM. The beef- and plant-based conditions are designed to provide comparable energy and macronutrient intake while allowing investigation of potential differences associated with protein source.
During each experimental condition, participants will complete a simulated fire ground test (FGT) consisting of nine occupationally relevant firefighting tasks while wearing personal protective equipment and a self-contained breathing apparatus. The FGT includes hose deployment and pulling, charged hose deployment, equipment carrying, a low-room search, forcible entry, ladder carrying, stair climbing and hose hoisting, ceiling breach activities, and a victim-dummy drag. Measures of FGT completion time, heart rate, air consumption, and work efficiency will be collected to characterize occupational performance and physiological demand.
Recovery will be evaluated before the simulated firefighting activity and during the subsequent recovery period. Assessments will characterize blood-based markers of catabolism, immune stress, muscle damage, and clinical safety, as well as muscle soreness, mood, cognitive function, vertical jump performance, and subsequent occupational performance.
The primary hypothesis is that the beef-based RTEM condition will attenuate catabolic responses, immune stress, muscle damage, soreness, and perceptions of fatigue following the FGT while supporting the maintenance or recovery of cognitive and physical performance. The inclusion of plant-based protein condition will help determine whether recovery responses differ according to dietary protein source and protein quantity.
The findings are intended to provide preliminary evidence regarding practical, food-based nutritional strategies that may support recovery and occupational readiness among firefighters following strenuous firefighting activity.
研究类型
注册 (估计的)
阶段
- 不适用
联系人和位置
学习联系方式
- 姓名:Drew E Gonzalez, PhD
- 电话号码:2107888616
- 邮箱:drewgonzalez418@shsu.edu
学习地点
-
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Texas
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Fort Worth、Texas、美国、76115
- 招聘中
- Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex Administration
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接触:
- Drew E Gonzalez, PhD
- 电话号码:2107888616
- 邮箱:drewgonzalez418@shsu.edu
-
副研究员:
- Andrew Wolfe, EdD
-
副研究员:
- Nick Barringer, PhD
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副研究员:
- Brian Newman, PhD
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接触:
- Brian Newman, PhD
- 电话号码:360-393-5702
- 邮箱:Brian.Newman@fortworthtexas.gov
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副研究员:
- David Church, PhD
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副研究员:
- Austin Garybeal, PhD
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Huntsville、Texas、美国、77340
- 招聘中
- Sam Houston State University
-
接触:
- Drew E Gonzalez, PhD
- 电话号码:2107888616
- 邮箱:drewgonzalez418@shsu.edu
-
-
参与标准
资格标准
适合学习的年龄
- 成人
接受健康志愿者
描述
Inclusion Criteria:
- 18 to 60 years of age
- Current trained male or female firefighter with the Fort Worth Fire Department
- Able to comply with all study procedures and the study timeline
- Willing to consume only the study-provided ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) during designated study periods
- Willing to refrain from alcohol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, and over-the-counter pain medications for 48 hours before testing sessions
- Available to complete the study visits and required testing procedures
Exclusion Criteria:
- Younger than 18 years or older than 60 years
- Not a current firefighter with the Fort Worth Fire Department
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study
- Orthopedic or musculoskeletal limitations that prevent safe completion of the vertical jump or simulated fire ground test
- Use of weight-loss dietary supplements or medications within the previous 2 weeks
- Unwilling to refrain from alcohol, NSAIDs, aspirin, or over-the-counter pain medications for 48 hours before testing sessions
- Unwilling or unable to consume only the study-provided RTEM during designated study periods
- Heavy smoking, defined as more than 1 pack of cigarettes per day during the previous 3 months
- Allergy to any of the protein sources or study foods
学习计划
研究是如何设计的?
设计细节
- 主要用途:治疗
- 分配:随机化
- 介入模型:交叉作业
- 屏蔽:双倍的
武器和干预
参与者组/臂 |
干预/治疗 |
|---|---|
|
有源比较器:Plant-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals
Participants will consume plant-based protein ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) during this comparator condition.
Meals will be designed to approximate the energy and macronutrient content of the pork-based condition, providing approximately 700-800 kcal, 80 g carbohydrate, 50 g protein, and 30 g fat per meal, with plant-based foods such as soy, tempeh, or tofu as the primary protein sources.
Participants will consume the study-provided meals surrounding the simulated fire ground testing and recovery period, with the same physiological, cognitive, and physical performance outcomes assessed.
|
Plant-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals: Participants will consume study-provided ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) in which plant-based foods serve as the primary protein source.
Plant protein sources may include soy, tempeh, tofu, and other soy-based foods.
Meals are designed to provide approximately 700 - 800 kcal, 80 g carbohydrate, 50 g protein, and 30 g fat per meal, with total daily protein intake targeted at approximately 1.4-2.0
g/kg/day.
Plant-based meals will be provided during the approximately 3-day experimental period surrounding the simulated fire ground test and subsequent recovery assessments and will be matched as closely as feasible to the pork-based condition for energy and macronutrient content.
|
|
实验性的:Beef-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals
Participants will consume beef-based protein ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) during this experimental condition.
Meals will provide approximately 700.- 800 kcal, 80 g carbohydrate, 50 g protein, and 30 g fat per meal, with lean beef serving as the primary protein source.
The dietary intervention is designed to provide a total daily protein intake consistent with study targets.
Participants will consume the study-provided meals surrounding the simulated fire ground testing and recovery period, with physiological, cognitive, and physical performance outcomes assessed during recovery.
|
Beef-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals: Participants will consume study-provided ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) in which lean beef serves as the primary protein source.
Meals are designed to provide approximately 700 - 800 kcal, 80 g carbohydrate, 50 g protein, and 30 g fat per meal, with total daily protein intake targeted at approximately 1.4-2.0
g/kg/day.
Beef-based meals will be provided during the approximately 3-day experimental period surrounding the simulated fire ground test and subsequent recovery assessments.
Meals are designed to match the energy and macronutrient content of the plant-based protein condition.
|
研究衡量的是什么?
主要结果指标
结果测量 |
措施说明 |
大体时间 |
|---|---|---|
|
Change in Testosterone and Cortisol
大体时间:Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours following the simulated fire ground test
|
Serum testosterone and cortisol concentrations will be measured to characterize anabolic and catabolic hormonal responses following the simulated fire ground test.
Changes in testosterone, cortisol, and the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio will be compared across dietary conditions.
|
Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours following the simulated fire ground test
|
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Change in Serum Creatine Kinase
大体时间:Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours following the simulated fire ground test
|
Serum creatine kinase (CK) concentration will be measured as a marker of muscle damage and recovery following the simulated fire ground test.
Changes in CK will be compared across the pork-based protein, plant-based protein, and carbohydrate-focused lower-protein dietary conditions.
|
Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours following the simulated fire ground test
|
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Change in Perceived Muscle Soreness
大体时间:Pre-fire ground test and 24, 48, and 72 hours of recovery
|
Participants will report perceived muscle soreness to characterize subjective recovery following the simulated fire ground test.
Muscle soreness responses will be compared across dietary conditions.
|
Pre-fire ground test and 24, 48, and 72 hours of recovery
|
|
Fire Ground Test Completion Time
大体时间:During each simulated fire ground test on Day 1 (baseline) and Day 4 (72 hour mark)
|
Total time required to complete the simulated fire ground test (FGT) will be recorded as a measure of occupational firefighting performance.
The FGT consists of standardized firefighting-related tasks performed while wearing personal protective equipment and a self-contained breathing apparatus.
|
During each simulated fire ground test on Day 1 (baseline) and Day 4 (72 hour mark)
|
次要结果测量
结果测量 |
措施说明 |
大体时间 |
|---|---|---|
|
Change in Complete Blood Count With Differential
大体时间:Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours following the simulated fire ground test
|
A complete blood count (CBC) with differential will be assessed to characterize hematological responses and monitor clinical safety across the experimental conditions.
Measures will include standard hematological indices and leukocyte differential components reported by the clinical laboratory.
|
Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours following the simulated fire ground test
|
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Change in Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
大体时间:Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours following the simulated fire ground test
|
A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) will be assessed to characterize metabolic responses and monitor clinical safety across the experimental conditions.
Standard CMP components, including markers related to renal and hepatic function, electrolytes, glucose, and protein status, will be evaluated as reported by the clinical laboratory.
|
Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours following the simulated fire ground test
|
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Food Satisfaction
大体时间:At Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours
|
Participants will report satisfaction with the study-provided ready-to-eat meals to characterize acceptability of each dietary condition.
|
At Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours
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Heart Rate During the Fire Ground Test
大体时间:During each simulated fire ground test on Day 1 (baseline) and Day 4 (72 hour mark)
|
Heart rate will be monitored during the simulated fire ground test to characterize cardiovascular demand during occupational firefighting activity.
|
During each simulated fire ground test on Day 1 (baseline) and Day 4 (72 hour mark)
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Change in Vertical Jump Performance
大体时间:Pre-fire ground test on Day 1 and Day 4
|
Vertical jump performance will be assessed as an indicator of lower-body neuromuscular performance and recovery following the simulated fire ground test.
Performance will be compared across dietary conditions.
|
Pre-fire ground test on Day 1 and Day 4
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其他结果措施
结果测量 |
措施说明 |
大体时间 |
|---|---|---|
|
Frequency and Severity of Adverse Symptoms
大体时间:At Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours
|
Participants will report the frequency and severity of general symptoms or side effects associated with each dietary condition, including gastrointestinal distress, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
|
At Baseline, 24, 48, and 72 hours
|
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Change in Profile of Mood States
大体时间:Pre-fire ground test and through 24, 48, and 72 hours of recovery
|
The Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire will be used to assess changes in mood state and perceived fatigue associated with the simulated fire ground test and subsequent recovery.
|
Pre-fire ground test and through 24, 48, and 72 hours of recovery
|
|
Change in Trail Making Test Performance
大体时间:Pre-fire ground test and through 24, 48, and 72 hours of recovery
|
The Trail Making Test (TMT) will be used to assess cognitive performance during recovery from the simulated fire ground test.
Performance will be compared across dietary conditions.
|
Pre-fire ground test and through 24, 48, and 72 hours of recovery
|
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Change in Psychomotor Vigilance Test Performance
大体时间:Pre-fire ground test and through 24, 48, and 72 hours of recovery
|
The Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) will be used to assess sustained attention and reaction-time performance during recovery from the simulated fire ground test.
Performance will be compared across dietary conditions.
|
Pre-fire ground test and through 24, 48, and 72 hours of recovery
|
合作者和调查者
调查人员
- 首席研究员:Drew E Gonzalez, PhD、Sam Houston State University
出版物和有用的链接
一般刊物
- Gonzalez DE, McAllister MJ, Waldman HS, Ferrando AA, Joyce J, Barringer ND, Dawes JJ, Kieffer AJ, Harvey T, Kerksick CM, Stout JR, Ziegenfuss TN, Zapp A, Tartar JL, Heileson JL, VanDusseldorp TA, Kalman DS, Campbell BI, Antonio J, Kreider RB. International society of sports nutrition position stand: tactical athlete nutrition. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2022 Jun 23;19(1):267-315. doi: 10.1080/15502783.2022.2086017. eCollection 2022.
- Ferrando AA, Wolfe RR, Hirsch KR, Church DD, Kviatkovsky SA, Roberts MD, Stout JR, Gonzalez DE, Sowinski RJ, Kreider RB, Kerksick CM, Burd NA, Pasiakos SM, Ormsbee MJ, Arent SM, Arciero PJ, Campbell BI, VanDusseldorp TA, Jager R, Willoughby DS, Kalman DS, Antonio J. International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Effects of essential amino acid supplementation on exercise and performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2023 Dec;20(1):2263409. doi: 10.1080/15502783.2023.2263409. Epub 2023 Oct 6.
- Gonzalez DE, Hines KE, Sowinski RJ, Estes L, Johnson SE, Chun J, Lee H, Leon S, Gil A, Ko J, Broeckel J, Barringer ND, Rasmussen CJ, Kreider RB. Effects of Pork Protein Ingestion Prior to and Following Performing the Army Combat Fitness Test on Markers of Catabolism, Inflammation, and Recovery. Nutrients. 2025 Jun 13;17(12):1995. doi: 10.3390/nu17121995.
研究记录日期
研究主要日期
学习开始 (实际的)
初级完成 (估计的)
研究完成 (估计的)
研究注册日期
首次提交
首先提交符合 QC 标准的
首次发布 (实际的)
研究记录更新
最后更新发布 (实际的)
上次提交的符合 QC 标准的更新
最后验证
更多信息
与本研究相关的术语
其他研究编号
- IRB-2026-110
- 2735 (其他赠款/资助编号:The National Cattlemen's Beef Association)
计划个人参与者数据 (IPD)
计划共享个人参与者数据 (IPD)?
IPD 计划说明
药物和器械信息、研究文件
研究美国 FDA 监管的药品
研究美国 FDA 监管的设备产品
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