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JOURNAL
OF
SPORTS SCIENCE &
MEDICINE
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Research
article
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THE EFFECT OF OMEGA-3 FATTY ACID SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE TO ECCENTRIC STRENGTH EXERCISE |
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Kelly B. Jouris  ,
Jennifer L. McDaniel and Edward P. Weiss |
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Doisy College of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA |
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© Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2011) 10, 432 - 438 |
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| ABSTRACT | |||
| Omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3) have anti-inflammatory properties.
However, it is not known if omega-3 supplementation attenuates exercise-induced
inflammation. We tested the hypothesis that omega-3 supplementation reduces
inflammation that is induced by eccentric arm curl exercise. Healthy adult
men and women (n=11; 35 ± 10 y) performed eccentric biceps curls on two
occasions, once after 14d of dietary omega-3 restriction (control trial)
and again after 7d of 3,000 mg/d omega-3 supplementation (omega-3 trial).
Before and 48 h after eccentric exercise, signs of inflammation was assessed
by measuring soreness ratings, swelling (arm circumference and arm volume),
and temperature (infrared skin sensor). Arm soreness increased (p < 0.0001)
in response to eccentric exercise; the magnitude of increase in soreness
was 15% less in the omega-3 trial (p = 0.004). Arm circumference increased
after eccentric exercise in the control trial (p = 0.01) but not in the
omega-3 trial (p = 0.15). However, there was no difference between trials
(p = 0.45). Arm volume and skin temperature did not change in response to
eccentric exercise in either trial. These findings suggest that omega-3
supplementation decreases soreness, as a marker of inflammation, after eccentric
exercise. Based on these findings, omega-3 supplementation could provide
benefits by minimizing post-exercise soreness and thereby facilitate exercise
training in individuals ranging from athletes undergoing heavy conditioning
to sedentary subjects or patients who are starting exercise programs or
medical treatments such as physical therapy or cardiac rehabilitation. Key words: Fish oil, muscle soreness, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid |
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