Effects of 12 wk of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in long-distance runners

Abstract

Purpose: this study aimed to investigate the effects of 12 wk of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation during endurance training on omega-3 index (O3I) and indicators of running performance in amateur long-distance runners.

Methods: twenty-six amateur male long-distance runners ≥29 yr old supplemented omega-3 fatty acid capsules (OMEGA group, n = 14; 2234 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 916 mg of docosahexaenoic acid daily) or medium-chain triglycerides capsules as placebo (medium-chain triglyceride [MCT] group, n = 12; 4000 mg of MCT daily) during 12 wk of endurance training. Before and after intervention, blood samples were collected for O3I assessment, and an incremental test to exhaustion and a 1500-m run trial were performed.

Results: O3I was significantly increased in the OMEGA group (from 5.8% to 11.6%, P < 0.0001). A significant increase in VO_2peak was observed in the OMEGA group (from 53.6 ± 4.4 to 56.0 ± 3.7 mL·kg^-1⋅min^-1, P = 0.0219) without such change in MCT group (from 54.7 ± 6.8 to 56.4 ± 5.9 mL·kg^-1⋅min^-1, P = 0.1308). A positive correlation between the change in O3I and the change in running economy was observed when data of participants from both groups were combined (-0.1808 ± 1.917, P = 0.0020), without such an effect in OMEGA group alone (P = 0.1741). No effect of omega-3 supplementation on 1500-m run results was observed.

Conclusions: twelve weeks of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation at a dose of 2234 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 916 mg of docosahexaenoic acid daily during endurance training resulted in the improvement of O3I and running economy and increased VO_2peak without improvement in the 1500-m run trial time in amateur runners.

More information

Identifiers

ORCID for Philip C. Calder: orcid.org/0000-0002-6038-710X

ORCID for Helena L. Fisk: orcid.org/0000-0002-9534-3246

Catalogue record

Export record

Altmetrics