Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Muscle Function and Health

European University Cyprus

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Healthy

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Placebo comparator; Dietary Supplement: Omega-3

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07134140

EUC omega-3

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to investigate the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on muscle performance, neuromuscular function, inflammation, and oxidative stress at rest and after eccentric exercise. The findings may provide insights into the role of omega-3 fatty acids in muscle function, physiology, and metabolism following muscle-damaging exercise. Additionally, the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on cardiovascular health will be investigated.

Full description

The study is a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Two parallel groups of 16 healthy males and females each (sex counterbalanced, 20-45 years) will randomly take 3 g of fish oil [1500 mg EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) + 750 mg DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), Now Foods, USA] or a placebo (3 g of olive oil) for 12 weeks. Before taking the supplement, participants will perform a unilateral isokinetic eccentric exercise session of maximal voluntary intensity (10 repetitions x 10 sets of knee extensions at a speed of 60 degrees per second). Dominant and non-dominant legs will be allocated equally and randomly across participants. Physiological assessments and blood samples will be collected immediately before exercise and 2 and 4 days after eccentric exercise (bout 1). Then, participants will start the supplementation for 12 weeks. At the end of the supplementation period, participants will perform the same eccentric exercise protocol (bout 2) with their opposite leg. The same assessments and blood sampling will be conducted at the same time points (i.e., immediately before and 2 and 4 days after eccentric exercise).

Enrollment: 32 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 45 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Body Mass Index (BMI) within the normal range (18.5-25 kg/m²).
• Healthy individuals without severe medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension, neuromuscular disorders).
• No musculoskeletal injury in the lower limbs (e.g., bone fracture, tendon rupture, grade III muscle strain) within the last 6 months before enrollment.
• Negative responses to all questions on the PAR-Q questionnaire indicating no contraindications to participating in exercise testing.
• Mentally capable of providing informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Use of any pharmaceutical medications (e.g., statins, aspirin, ibuprofen).
• Use of dietary supplements (e.g., protein, vitamins) within the last 3 months before enrollment.
• Participation in a structured training program involving more than three training sessions per week during the study period.
• Following a special diet (e.g., intermittent fasting, ketogenic diet, vegetarian diet).
• Allergy or intolerance to fish oil or olive oil.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Quadruple Blind

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32 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Omega-3

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will take 3 g of fish oil \[(NOW, Ultra Omega-3 Fish Oil, (NOW, Bloomingdale, IL, USA)\] for 12 weeks.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Omega-3

Placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this group will take 3 g of olive oil for 12 weeks.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Placebo comparator