Blood Biomarkers

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.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether consuming pork-based protein before and after physically demanding simulated firefighting activities can improve recovery, physical performance, and cognitive performance in healthy adult firefighters. The study will also compare pork-based protein meals with plant-based protein meals and a carbohydrate-focused control condition. The main questions this study aims to answer are: Does consuming pork-based protein reduce changes in markers of muscle damage, physiological stress, and muscle soreness following a simulated fire ground test? Does consuming pork-based protein help maintain or improve physical and cognitive performance during recovery compared with plant-based protein and a carbohydrate-focused control condition? Researchers will compare three ready-to-eat meal conditions: pork-based protein, plant-based protein, and a carbohydrate-focused control condition. Each participant will complete all three conditions in a randomized crossover design, with 14 to 21 days between conditions.

This is a three-cohort, randomized, double-blinded , sham-controlled, single-center, early feasibility research trial to determine whether organ-specific biologic effects on platelet activity and coagulation are achievable through selective ultrasound of the spleen utilizing low-energy (diagnostic-level) insonification. * Group 1: Focused insonification at center of the spleen. * Group 2: Prolonged duration insonification at center of the spleen * Group 3: Prolonged duration insonification across the spleen. Participants will receive 30 minutes of sham stimulation in the randomized group that is assigned to them, followed by active stimulation within the same group. Blood biomarkers (local and systemic) will be measured before and at several timepoints after stimulation to measure the molecular and cellular effects of the device