On-The-Move Nutrient Delivery System - Description and Initial Evaluation

Abstract : Warfighters typically under-eat relative to their energy expenditure during field training and deployments. Maintaining hydration is also a challenge particularly during hot weather, as there is aversion to the smell and taste of warm water, particularly when chlorine is present. A novel nutrient delivery system has been developed to provide Warfighters on-demand access to flavored electrolyte- and carbohydrate-enhanced drinks, to provide hydration, and energy to sustain work. This technical report documents efforts to obtain user feedback regarding the acceptability of an early prototype system. The combined results of two different survey groups (n= 22) reveal that 59% of Soldiers rated the device as a "moderately" to "extremely valuable" and 68% reported that they would be "moderately" to "extremely likely" to use the device if it were available to them. 73% felt it could improve their performance. Recommended improvements included making hardware components more rugged, improving engineering to minimize leakage, adding more positive control of the on-off system, and creating a variety of flavored beverages with high taste acceptability.