Effects of Fish Oil Supplementation on Postresistance Exercise Muscle Soreness

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of fish oil supplementation on the magnitude and time-course of postresistance exercise muscle soreness. This study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Nonresistance trained females were randomized into one of two groups: fish oil supplementation (6 g/day; 5:1 eicosapentaenoic acid to docosahexaenoic acid (EPA:DHA)) or placebo (6 g/day corn/soy oil). After consuming the supplements for one week, participants underwent a single bout of resistance exercise consisting of 10 sets to failure of elbow flexion and leg extension machines. Muscle soreness was measured daily over the next week via grounded visual analog scale while participants continued to consume their assigned supplement. At 48 hours and one week postexercise, soreness during functional movements and limb circumferences were measured. The fish oil group perceived less static and functional muscle soreness than placebo, although the differences were not statistically significant. Effect sizes for resistance exercise-induced static and functional soreness responses were 33 to 42% lower in fish oil versus placebo without changes in upper arm and thigh circumferences. Supplementing the diet with 6 g per day of fish oil may alleviate muscle soreness experienced after resistance training in young untrained females.

Adding omega‐3 fatty acids to a protein‐based supplement during pre‐season training results in reduced muscle soreness and the better maintenance of explosive power in professional Rugby Union players

“…Several previous studies, conducted in controlled laboratory settings, report a beneficial effect of fish oil supplementation on the perception of muscle soreness following intense eccentric exercise (Corder et al, 2016;Tsuchiya et al, 2016;Jouris et al, 2011;Lembke et al, 2014;Tinsley et al, 2016). Consistent with these experimental study findings, the present field-based study, which included a training protocol reflective of professional rugby with progressive resistance training and high volumes of anaerobic training, revealed a moderately beneficial effect of fish oil ingestion on muscle soreness during preseason Rugby training.…”

Supplementation of Re-Esterified Docosahexaenoic and Eicosapentaenoic Acids Reduce Inflammatory and Muscle Damage Markers after Exercise in Endurance Athletes: A Randomized, Controlled Crossover Trial

“…Concerning muscle soreness, controversial findings have been reported on the effects of omega-3 intake on DOMS after eccentric exercise [17,18,34,35]. Many studies have reported a decrement of DOMS after EPA and DHA intake [17,18], but no change was observed after 2-4 weeks of single intake of DHA (0.8-2 g/day) [15,19].…”

4-week eicosapentaenoic acid-rich fish oil supplementation partially protects muscular damage following eccentric contractions

“…A study has reported that the results of daily ingestion of 2,000-mg EPA and 1,000-mg DHA for 2 weeks signi cantly mitigated DOMS in the upper arm after two sets of ECCs (until exhaustion) via elbow exions using dumbbells at an intensity of 120% 1RM 22 . Similarly, as a result of 3,600 mg of EPA and DHA ingested for 2 weeks have also been reported to mitigate DOMS in the upper arm and thigh after 10 sets of ECCs (until exhaustion) through elbow exions and knee extensions at an intensity of 50% 1RM 23 . Studies using 8-week consumption of EPA and DHA at lower doses (600 mg/day of EPA and 260 mg/day of DHA) have reported signi cant mitigation of DOMS after 30 isokinetic ECCs by elbow exions 7 and DOMS after isotonic ECCs using dumbbells at an intensity of 40% 1RM 9 .…”