Experimental design
Participants underwent a 3‐phase, 50‐day study, consisting of 7 days of baseline testing (days 1–7), 20 days of simulated military operations (days 8–27), and 23 days of recovery (days 28–50) (details in Varanoske et al., Throughout all phases, total energy intake and macronutrient distribution remained fixed but were individualized for each participant. Individual physical activity patterns and habitual exercise‐induced energy expenditure during and prior to the baseline period were determined using accelerometry and a physical activity questionnaire (PAR‐Q+). Resting metabolic rate was measured by using indirect calorimetry (Deltatrac II Metabolic Cart Sensormedics, Yorba Linda, CA). The food records and resting metabolic rate measurements were used to calculate total daily energy expenditure and prescribe individual dietary intake to maintain energy balance and body mass. The macronutrient distribution of the diet was based on the composition of the Meal, Ready‐to‐Eat (MRE) (15% protein, 55% carbohydrate, and 30% fat) (Varanoske et al., 