The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects on physical performance of three levels of energy intake during a 5-day period of prolonged physical exercise and relative sleep deprivation. A group of 27 male soldiers were randomly assigned to three groups receiving either 1800 kcal.24 h-1 (7560 kJ, LC), 3200 kcal.24 h-1 (13440 kJ, MC) or 4200 kcal.24 h-1 (17,640 kJ, HC). They took part in a 5-day combat course (CC) of heavy and continuous physical activities, with less than 4 h sleep per day. Performance capacity was tested just before and at the end of CC. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was determined during an exhausting incremental exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Anaerobic performance was measured from the time during which exercise could be maintained at supra maximal loads on a cycle ergometer. After CC, the subjects receiving LC exhibited a 14% decrease in power output at exhaustion in the incremental exercise test [from 325 (SEM 8) to 278 (SEM 9) W, P < 0.001] and a significant decrease in VO2max of 8% [from 3.74 (SEM 0.06) to 3.45 (SEM 0.05) 1.min-1, P < 0.05]. The remaining two experimental groups demonstrated the same mechanical and metabolic performances on days 1 and 5. Anaerobic performance was not influenced by energy intake and the field course. Blood samples were obtained at rest on days 1 and 5. At the end of CC, the data demonstrated a significant decrease in blood glucose concentrated ion (P < 0.01) for LC diet only.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)