Dietary Intake, Biological Status, and Barriers towards Omega-3 Intake in Elite Level (Tier 4), Female Athletes: Pilot Study

Association of Dietary Inflammatory Index with Omega-3 Index in Female Athlete

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have unique properties that benefit female athletes. No study has examined the association between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and omega-3 index. Therefore, we investigated the association between the DII and omega-3 index. This cross-sectional study included female university athletes and age- and sex-matched controls. Data were collected from anthropometric assessments, a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and blood tests for lipidomics. The energy-adjusted DII was calculated using the FFQ. Seventy-four athletes (mean age=19.7±1.2 y, mean BMI=21.1±2.4) and 38 controls (mean age=20.0±0.9 y, mean BMI=20.3±2.4) were enrolled in the study. The athlete group tended to have a higher percentage of high risk/intermediate in the omega-3 index (75.7% vs. 57.9%; p=0.082) or high-risk category in the trans-fat index (9.5% vs. 0.0%; p=0.093) compared to the control group. The energy-adjusted DII negatively correlated with the omega-3 index, although n-3 PUFA intake did not correlate with the omega-3 index in either group. The present findings indicated that DII might affect omega-3 index independent of n-3 PUFAs intake in female athlete. Health care professionals and coach should consider nutritional interventions based on the omega-3 index rather than relying solely on n-3 PUFAs intake for female athletes.

Boosting Recovery: Omega-3 and Whey Protein Enhance Strength and Ease Muscle Soreness in Female Futsal Players

Background: Adequate nutrition is crucial for athletes to enhance performance and recovery. This study investigates the acute effects of omega-3 and whey protein supplementation before and after exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) on lower-body strength, explosive power, and delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in female futsal players. Method: A randomized, cross-over, placebo-controlled, double-blind study involved 15 female futsal players (Age: 22.93 ± 0.54 years; Height: 159.60 ± 1.16 cm; Weight: 56.95 ± 1.79 kg). Participants completed three conditions: pre-EIMD (1000 mg fish oil, 30 g whey protein, 2 h before EIMD), post-EIMD (same supplementation, within 2 h after EIMD), and placebo (PLA, 2 g starch). EIMD involved 200 vertical jumps with 15% body-weighted vests. Metrics including Sargent jump height (VJH), thigh swelling (Sw-T), pressure pain threshold (PPT), V-sit and reach flexibility test (VSFT), range of motion (ROM), relative peak torque (RPT), average power (AP), and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) were recorded 48 h post-EIMD. DOMS was assessed via a visual analog scale (VAS) multiple times. A one-week washout period was employed. Results: Pre-EIMD supplementation significantly increased VJH (p = 0.001) compared to PLA and Post-EIMD (p = 0.033). MVIC45° improved significantly in Pre-EIMD vs. PLA (p = 0.001). Improvements were observed in muscle strength metrics, with significant increases in APflx60°/s (pre-EIMD vs. PLA, p = 0.001; pre-EIMD vs. post-EIMD, p = 0.008), APext60°/s (Pre-EIMD vs. PLA, p = 0.030), and APext180°/s (Post-EIMD vs. PLA, p = 0.023). DOMS was lower in both Pre-EIMD and Post-EIMD conditions immediately and at 12 h post-EIMD (p = 0.009; p = 0.030) than PLA. No significant differences were found in Sw-T, PPT, VSFT, ROM, or APflx180°/s. Conclusions: Acute omega-3 and whey protein supplementation, particularly before EIMD, improves strength and power and reduces DOMS in female futsal players. Supplement timing may be critical for optimizing recovery and performance in high-demand sports.

Omega-3 and Sports: Focus on Inflammation

Inflammation is expected in sports, especially when practiced at a high level. The human body is pushed toward its limit, and this is perceived as a "stressogenic agent". Athletes, especially elite ones, desire it because their bodies can react with super-compensation, i.e., improve muscle mass, strength, speed, resistance, and, therefore, athletic performance. Thus, the inflammatory stimuli should be there during training but also counteracted to have the body placed in the optimal conditions for reacting with super-compensation. In this sense, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to have anti-inflammatory biochemical activity. In this review, we will present the biochemical mechanisms of action of omega-3 fatty acids through their mediators, specialized pro-resolving mediators, which have anti-inflammatory activity. A focus will be on studies on omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in sports, and we will provide indications for possible practical applications and future studies, which are undoubtedly necessary to clarify the omega-3 fatty acids used in sports practice.

Changes in the Fatty Acid Profile in Erythrocytes in High-Level Endurance Runners during a Sports Season

Fatty acids (FAs) are an essential component of the erythrocyte membrane, and nutrition and physical exercise are two variables that affect their structure and function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the erythrocyte profile in a group of high-level endurance runners, as well as the changes in different FAs, throughout a sports season in relation to the training performed. A total of 21 high-level male endurance runners (23 ± 4 years; height: 1.76 ± 0.05) were evaluated at four different times throughout a sports season. The athletes had at least 5 years of previous experience and participated in national and international competitions. The determination of the different FAs was carried out by gas chromatography. The runners exhibited low concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and omega-3 index (IND ω-3), as well as high values of stearic acid (SA), palmitic acid (PA), and arachidonic acid (AA), compared to the values of reference throughout the study. In conclusion, training modifies the erythrocyte FA profile in high-level endurance runners, reducing the concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as DHA and AA and increasing the concentrations of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) such as SA and the PA. High-level endurance runners should pay special attention to the intake of PUFAs ω-3 in their diet or consider supplementation during training periods to avoid deficiency.

Athletes Can Benefit from Increased Intake of EPA and DHA-Evaluating the Evidence

Fatty fish, which include mackerel, herring, salmon and sardines, and certain species of algae (e.g., Schizochytrium sp., Crytthecodiniumcohnii and Phaeodactylumtricornutum) are the only naturally rich sources of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA and DHA are the most biologically active members of the n-3 PUFA family. Limited dietary sources and fluctuating content of EPA and DHA in fish raise concerns about the status of EPA and DHA among athletes, as confirmed in a number of studies. The beneficial effects of EPA and DHA include controlling inflammation, supporting nervous system function, maintaining muscle mass after injury and improving training adaptation. Due to their inadequate intake and beneficial health-promoting effects, athletes might wish to consider using supplements that provide EPA and DHA. Here, we provide an overview of the effects of EPA and DHA that are relevant to athletes and discuss the pros and cons of supplements as a source of EPA and DHA for athletes.