The effects of omega-3 supplementation on pulmonary function of young wrestlers during intensive training

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of omega-3 supplementation on young wrestler's pulmonary function during intensive wrestling training. Forty healthy young male wrestlers participated in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into experimental ( n = 10), placebo ( n = 10), active control ( n = 10) and inactive control ( n = 10) groups. Participants in experimental, placebo and active control groups performed wrestling incremental training up to 95% of exercise MHR, three times a week, for 12 weeks. The inactive control group did not participate in any exercise training. Subjects in the experimental group were asked to consume omega-3 (1000 mg/day for 12 weeks), while those in placebo were refused any doses of omega-3. The pulmonary variables were measured at baseline and at the end of 12 weeks of training program. Results indicated that consuming omega-3 during 12 weeks training had a significantly positive effect on pulmonary variables such as FEV1, FVC, VC, MVV, FEF25–75, FIV1 ( p = 0.001), but no significant changes were observed in FEV1% ( p = 0.141) and FIV1% ( p = 0.117). The results of the present study suggest that consuming omega-3 during intensive wrestling training can improve pulmonary function of athletes during and in post-exercise.