Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: EPA or DHA?

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), may enhance recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). However, it is unclear if the effects are due to EPA, DHA, or both. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of EPA + DHA, EPA and DHA compared to placebo (PL) on muscular recovery. Methods Thirty males were randomized to 4 g·d-1 EPA + DHA (n = 8), EPA (n = 8), DHA (n = 7), or PL (n = 7). Following 7-weeks supplementation, a downhill running (20-min, 70% VO2max, -16% gradient) plus jumping lunges (5x20 reps, 2-min rest intervals) muscle damage protocol was performed. Indices of muscle damage, soreness, muscle function, and inflammation were measured at baseline and throughout recovery. The omega-3 index (O3i, %EPA + %DHA in erythrocytes) was used to track tissue EPA and DHA status. Results After supplementation, the O3i was significantly higher than PL in all experimental groups (p < .001). Leg press performance was lower in the PL group at 24H compared to EPA (p = .019) and at 72H for EPA (p = .004) and DHA (p = .046). Compared to PL, muscle soreness was lower in the DHA (p = .015) and EPA (p = .027) groups at 48H. Albeit non-significant, EPA + DHA tended to attenuate muscle soreness (d = 1.37) and leg strength decrements (d = 0.75) compared to PL. Jump performance and power metrics improved more rapidly in the EPA and DHA groups (time effects: p < .001). Measures of inflammation, range of motion, and muscle swelling were similar between groups (p > .05). Conclusions Compared to PL, 4 g·d-1 of EPA or DHA for 52 days improves certain aspects of recovery from EIMD. EPA + DHA did not clearly enhance recovery. Equivalent dosing of EPA + DHA may blunt the performance effects observed in EPA or DHA alone.