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Chronic supplementation of omega-3 can improve body composition and maximal strength, but does not change the resistance to neuromuscular fatigue

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Abstract

Purpose

The present study aimed to determine whether supplementation with omega-3 fatty acid (N-3) contributes to improving body composition, strength performance, and neuromuscular fatigue resistance in physically active men.

Methods

The study was randomized, double–blind, and placebo controlled. 15 males were recruited and randomly assigned into two groups, N-3 supplementation (GN-3; N = 7) and placebo supplementation (GP; N = 8). Supplementation with N-3 or a placebo (safflower oil) was administered for 28-days at 1.4 g·day−1. During this period, physical activity was monitored (internal load = volume × perceived exertion scale). Before and after the supplementation period, body composition, one maximum repetition of knee extension (1RM), and maximum repetitions of knee extension with 70 % of 1RM load (RMs) pre and post an incremental running protocol until exhaustion were measured.

Results

ANOVA two way (p < 0.05) revealed a decrease in body fat mass (GP before: 8.3 ± 2.1 kg × after: 7.7 ± 2.4 kg; GN-3 before: 12.8 ± 9.4 kg × after: 11.8 ± 9.3 kg), increase in lean mass (GP before: 61.8 ± 4.1 kg × after: 62.7 ± 3.9 kg; GN-3 before: 64.2 ± 5.8 kg × after: 66.2 ± 6.0 kg), and 1RM (GP before: 111.3 ± 29.1 kg × after: 111.3 ± 25.9 kg; GN-3 before: 115.0 ± 36.2 kg × after: 129.1 ± 39.9 kg) in the GN-3, without significant alterations in the GP and no interactions between-groups. Moreover, the absolute variation of the RMs pre and post the incremental running protocol were not significantly altered for both group (GP before: −1.1 ± 2.9 repetitions × after: −1.1 ± 2.6 repetitions; GN-3 before: −3.9 ± 2.9 repetitions × after: −5.0 ± 4.6 repetitions), with no interactions between-groups.

Conclusion

Four weeks of N-3 supplementation seems to improved body composition and maximal strength of knee extension, without influencing neuromuscular fatigue resistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UNISALESIANO-Catholic Center University, Rua Dom Bosco, 265, Lins, SP, 16400-505, Brazil

    Dhiego Mangilli Crestani, Érick Fernando Rodrigues Bonin & Fabio Milioni

  2. Post Graduate Program of Movement Science, UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista, Av. 24-A, 1515, Rio Claro, SP, 13506-900, Brazil

    Ricardo Augusto Barbieri, Alessandro Moura Zagatto & Fabio Milioni

  3. Laboratory of Physiology and Sport Performance (LAFIDE), Department of Physical Education, UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista, Bauru, Av. Engenheiro Luiz Edmundo Carrijo Coube, Bauru, SP, 17033-360, Brazil

    Alessandro Moura Zagatto & Fabio Milioni

  4. Department of Physical Education, IFSULDEMINAS-Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of South of Minas Gerais, Muzambinho, Estrada de Muzambinho, km 35, Muzambinho, MG, 37890-000, Brazil

    Wonder Passoni Higino

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  1. Dhiego Mangilli Crestani
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  2. Érick Fernando Rodrigues Bonin
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Correspondence to Fabio Milioni.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Research Committee of the UNISALESIANO-Catholic Center University (Protocol 867.319/2014) and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in study.

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Crestani, D.M., Bonin, É.F.R., Barbieri, R.A. et al. Chronic supplementation of omega-3 can improve body composition and maximal strength, but does not change the resistance to neuromuscular fatigue. Sport Sci Health 13, 259–265 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-016-0322-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-016-0322-9

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