Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation reduces muscle damage induced by eccentric exercise in young men
Sebastian Jannas-Vela Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 48: S136 (2023)
Omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) have been proposed as potential therapeutic
agents to protect against eccentric exercise-induced muscle
damage. This study investigated the effects of an 8-week highdose DHA-rich supplementation on muscle function and indirect markers of muscle damage following maximal eccentric
exercise. Fifteen men (25 ± 6 years; 82 ± 10 kg) were recruited
and divided into two groups: n-3 (n = 7; 2.5 g/day DHA and
0.5 g/day EPA) or placebo (n = 8; yellow maltodextrin). A one leg maximal isokinetic eccentric exercise protocol (10 sets of
10 repetitions at maximal eccentric isokinetic strength) was
performed prior to and at the end (opposite leg) of the supplementation period. Muscle damage and function were assessed before, immediately post, 1, 2, 24, 48, and 72 h after
the eccentric exercise protocol. Muscle function decreased after the eccentric protocol throughout all time points in both
groups and legs. However, in the n-3 group, the reduction in
muscle function was smaller (p < 0.05) after the supplementation period at 0, 2, and 72 h. No additional differences were
observed with other measurements of muscle damage. These
results may indicate that a high-dose DHA-rich supplementation period attenuates muscle loss after eccentric exercise.