Abstract
BackgroundExercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) results in transient muscle inflammation, strength loss, muscle soreness and may cause subsequent exercise avoidance. Omega-3 (n-3) supplementation may minimise EIMD via its anti-inflammatory properties, however, its efficacy remains unclear.MethodsHealthy males (n = 14, 25.07 ± 4.05 years) were randomised to 3 g/day n-3 supplementation (N-3, n = 7) or placebo (PLA, n = 7). Following 4 weeks supplementation, a downhill running protocol (60 min, 65% V̇O2max, − 10% gradient) was performed. Creatine kinase (CK), interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, perceived muscle soreness, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and peak power were quantified pre, post, and 24, 48 and 72 h post-EIMD.ResultsMuscle soreness was significantly lower in N-3 vs PLA group at 24 h post-EIMD (p = 0.034). IL-6 was increased in PLA (p = 0.009) but not in N-3 (p = 0.434) following EIMD, however, no significant differences were noted between groups. Peak power was significantly suppressed in PLA relative to pre-EIMD but not in N-3 group at 24 h post-EIMD. However, no significant difference in peak power output was observed between groups. MVIC, CK and TNF-α were altered by EIMD but did not differ between groups.ConclusionN-3 supplementation for 4 weeks may successfully attenuate minor aspects of EIMD. Whilst not improving performance, these findings may have relevance to soreness-associated exercise avoidance.
Highlights
Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) results in transient muscle inflammation, strength loss, muscle soreness and may cause subsequent exercise avoidance
Results presented here suggest that 4 weeks supplementation with 3 g/day of n-3 PUFA offsets the EIMD induced pain response following a single bout of high intensity exercise
Our study demonstrated a significant difference in perceived muscle soreness between groups at 24 h post-EIMD, suggesting N-3 may have experienced less pain compared to PLA group at this point
Summary
Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) results in transient muscle inflammation, strength loss, muscle soreness and may cause subsequent exercise avoidance. Especially novel or high-force eccentric protocols, can produce substantial muscle fibre damage [1, 2]. Such vigorous-intensity exercise may lead to exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) [3]. N-3 PUFA are incorporated into phospholipids, altering cell membranes, which typically contain a high proportion of arachidonic acid (AA). This results in increased accumulation of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and at the parallel decline of AA; and potentially blunting reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory cytokine production [10]. One of the connections between n-3 PUFA and muscle inflammation is via down-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6, reduced production of AA and ROS, resulting in a decrease in the inflammatory response [12]
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