OMEGA-3-FATTY-ACID SUPPLEMENTATION DOES NOT IMPROVE MAXIMAL AEROBIC POWER, ANAEROBIC THRESHOLD AND RUNNING PERFORMANCE IN WELL-TRAINED SOCCER PLAYERS

In a randomized, placebo-controlled study the effect of 10 weeks of su pplementation with either 5.2 g of a concentrated fish oil triglycerid e (Triomar(TM)) enriched in omega-3 fatty acids (1.60 g/day EPA and 1. 04 gi day DHA) or 5.2 g corn oil (serving as placebo) on maximal aerob ic power, anaerobic threshold and running performance was assessed in 28 well-trained male soccer players (18-35 years). Supplements were gi ven as 650-mg capsules. Capsule assignment was randomized to one omega -3 group (n=15), given eight Triomar(TM) capsules per day, and one pla cebo group (n=13), given eight capsules of corn oil per day. During th e 10-week supplementation period the subjects maintained their usual d iets and training regimes. Red blood cell (RBC) osmotic fragility trig lycerides and fatty acid composition in plasma were assessed before an d after the supplementation period. The pre- and post-supplementation tests of maximal aerobic power, anaerobic power and running performanc e showed no significant difference between the two groups. Subjects in the omega-3 group had significantly reduced plasma triglycerides, ris ed EPA (175%) and DHA (40%) in the total lipid fraction of plasma afte r supplementation. RBC osmotic fragility did not change. In conclusion , the results do not support the hypothesis that endurance athletes ca n improve maximal aerobic performance by omega 3-fatty acid supplement ation.