Abstract:
Objective To observe the changes of bone health indicators,fatigue index and neurobehavioral function in soldiers after drinking milk fortified with calcium and zinc.
Methods A double-blinded,cluster-randomized effectiveness trial was conducted in 103 soldiers who were engaged in technical work and participated in physical training regularly.They were randomly assigned to observation group (n=55,consuming 2 packages 227 ml per package of milk fortified with 150 mg/100 g Ca and 1.2 mg/100 g Zn)and control group (n=48,regular milk per day,100 mg/100 g Ca,0.4 mg/100 g Zn) according to squad organizational system.After 3 months of continuous intervention,the data of blood specimens (blood routine,blood biochemistry,vitamin,osteocalcin),body composition,bone mineral density,fatigue and neurobehavioral function were collected and assessed.
Results A total of 94 subjects completed the study (51 cases in observation group and 43 cases in control group),with a loss rate of 8.74%.After the intervention,the serum osteocalcin concentration in the two groups was higher than that before the intervention,and it increased more significantly in observation group (0.59±0.36) ng/ml
vs (0.41±0.38) ng/ml,
P=0.037.Bone mineral density increased in both groups after intervention,but there was no significant difference between the two groups before and after intervention (
P>0.05).The bone quality of the two groups was improved when compared with before intervention,and the increase of observation group was significantly higher than that of control group (4.25±6.69
vs 2.03±3.21,
P=0.042).The results of fatigue assessment showed that the total score of fatigue assessment decreased in observation group,while it increased in control group after intervention (4.25±3.12
vs 5.14±3.36,
P=0.013).The correct score of digit symbol increased after intervention in two groups,and the increase was larger in observation group (7.41±9.53
vs 3.42±9.61,
P<0.001).The average score of pursuit aiming increased after intervention in observation group,while it decreased after intervention in control group (9.23±24.60 vs-8.92±22.60,
P<0.001).
Conclusion Milk consumption daily can improve soldiers’ bone quality,while the milk fortified with calcium and zinc has more advantages in osteocalcin and bone quality,and plays a certain role in alleviating soldiers' training fatigue and improving their neurobehavioral function.