Abstract

Introduction: Recent evidence suggests that long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC n-3) supplementation may enhance training adaptations associated with athletic performance. This study examined the impact of LC n-3 supplementation on body composition, strength, and power in collegiate athletes. Methods: Athletes (n = 27) were assigned to one of two conditions for eight weeks: fish oil (FO, 3.0 g∙d-1 [1.75g EPA and 1.1g DHA], n = 15) or placebo (PL, high-oleic safflower oil, 3g, n = 12) for 8-weeks. Athletes completed a three-day food log and questionnaire, provided a blood sample via fingerstick to determine their LC n-3 status, conducted body composition analysis through dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, and had their handgrip strength (HGS) and countermovement jump assessed. Results: In the FO group, the omega-3 index, EPA and DHA increased by 73%, 332% and 64%, respectively, while there was no change in the placebo group. HGS significantly improved in the FO group (p = .018, +9.1%) and did not change in the placebo group (p = .615, -1.8%). Body composition and power were similar between groups. The change in HGS was positively correlated with the relative change in EPA and EPA:AA ratio. Conclusions: For in-season athletes, the addition of LC n-3 supplementation to a dietary regime increases blood LC n-3 status and may preserve or improve muscular performance while in-season.

Highlights

  • Recent evidence suggests that long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC n-3) supplementation may enhance training adaptations associated with athletic performance

  • All athletes underwent body composition analysis (n =27); only partial data were available for whole blood fatty acid analysis (n = 20), handgrip strength (HGS) (n = 14), countermovement jump (CMJ) (n = 25), food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) (n = 19) and dietary logs (n = 12)

  • We demonstrated that LC n-3 supplementation increases HGS and that the relative changes in HGS were positively correlated with the change in whole blood EPA and the EPA:arachidonic acid (AA) ratio

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Summary

Introduction

Recent evidence suggests that long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC n-3) supplementation may enhance training adaptations associated with athletic performance. This study examined the impact of LC n-3 supplementation on body composition, strength, and power in collegiate athletes. Results: In the FO group, the omega-3 index, EPA and DHA increased by 73%, 332% and 64%, respectively, while there was no change in the placebo group. Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3), primarily the bioactive constituents eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3), are widely recognized for their cardio- and neuroprotective capabilities[1,2] and have recently been associated with some aspects of athletic performance and recovery.[3–5]. A seminal study by Smith et al.[9] has shown that LC n-3 supplementation of 4g∙d-1 (3.36g EPA+DHA) for 8-weeks alters skeletal muscle fatty acid composition and increases muscle protein synthesis in young and middle-aged adults. LC n-3 supplementation, typically as fish oil (FO), has been suggested as a safe and effective means to improve athlete health and performance

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