Aerobic fitness, energy balance, and body mass index are associated with training load assessed by activity energy expenditure

The present study examined whether activity energy expenditure related to body mass (AEE/kg) is associated with maximal aerobic fitness (VO(2max)), energy balance, and body mass index (BMI) during the 2 hardest weeks of the military basic training season (BT). An additional purpose was to study the accuracy of the pre-filled food diary energy intake. Energy expenditure (EE) with doubly labeled water, energy intake (EI), energy balance, and mis-recording was measured from 24 male conscripts with varying VO(2max). AEE/kg was calculated as (EE x 0.9-measured basal metabolic rate)/body mass. The reported EI was lower (P<0.001) than EE (15.48 MJ/day) and mis-recording of the pre-filled diary was -20%. The negative energy balance (-6+/-26%) was non-significant; however, the variation was high. The subjects with a low VO(2max), a high BMI, and a negative energy balance were vulnerable to low AEE/kg. However, in the multivariate regression analysis only BMI remained in the model, explaining 33% of the variation in AEE/kg. During wintertime BT, AEE/kg is affected by energy balance, VO(2max), and BMI. From these three factors, overweight limits high-level training the most. Furthermore, an optimal energy balance facilitates physical performance and enables high training loads to be sustained during the BT season.