Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation to Enhance Performance (FO n-3)

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation to Enhance Performance in Collegiate Athletes

The goal of this intervention study is to determine if omega-3 fatty acid supplementation as compared to placebo improves performance in track and field athletes. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Can performance be improved
2. Can strength be enhanced
3. Will positive body composition changes occur (lean vs fat mass)
4. Will feelings of muscle soreness be diminished Participants will take either omega-3 fatty acid supplements or placebo and continue with their sport specific training regimen.

Researchers will compare the supplement group to placebo group to determine if there are any significant differences.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Body Composition; Muscle Soreness; Strength
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Omega-3 fatty acid; Dietary supplement: Placebo

Detailed Description

This is a randomized, placebo-controlled trial to determine the efficacy of fish oil-derived omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. Up to sixty participants will be randomized to receive one of two conditions: 4.0 grams of FO n-3/day or placebo (coconut oil) for the 10-week protocol study period. Nordic Naturals (Ultimate Omega) will be used as the intervention at a dose of 6 capsules/day (3840 mg total FO/1950 mg EPA/1350 mg DHA). Although protocols have varied among studies with regards to dosage, the proposed regimen was selected based on studies on strength in older adults and college-aged athletes utilizing a range of 2-5g FO n-3 per day. Blinded randomization will be accomplished with a research associate providing every first (of two) participants the placebo, while the second will receive the supplemented condition until recruitment is complete. Participants will be provided their supplement in 2-week increments and instructed to consume with/near their evening meal. Used bottles will be returned after two weeks and participants will receive the next 2-week supply of supplement and the leftover pill count will determine compliance rate.

The target population is apparently healthy college athletes (male and female of all ethnicities) between the ages of 18-25 years at Baylor University. Participants must be able to read and understand English and sign their own consent form. Up to 60 subjects will be recruited via direct contact or team briefings with permission of the coaches.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 33
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Texas
    • Waco, Texas, United States, 76798
      • Baylor University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Apparently healthy college athletes (male and female of all ethnicities) between the ages of 18-25 years.

Exclusion Criteria: -Participants will be excluded if they are unable to physically train due to injury/illness or are pregnant, or have a known heart condition or pacemaker.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Omega-3 fatty acid; Nordic Naturals (Ultimate Omega) will be used as the intervention at a dose of 4 grams/day (3840 mg total fish oil with 1950 mg EPA and 1350 mg DHA	Dietary supplement: Omega-3 fatty acid; 6 capsules per day of 3840 mg that included 1950 mg EPA and 1350 mg DHA; Other Names: Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega
Placebo Comparator: Coconut oil; dose of 4 grams/day	Dietary supplement: Placebo; 4 capsules per day of coconut oil

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Strength	lower body strength will be evaluated via a counter movement jump	change from baseline at 8 weeks
Power	handgrip strength will be used as a proxy for upper body strength via a dynamometer	change from baseline at 8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Body composition	bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), a double-indirect body composition technique based on a 3-component model (fat mass, fat-free mass, and total body water), will be performed.	change from baseline at 8 weeks
Muscle soreness	Subjects will be asked to rate their muscle soreness on a 10-point Likert scale	change from baseline, every 2 weeks and at 8 weeks
Omega-3 index	The Omega-3 Index provides information on the participants baseline level of EPA/DHA level in the blood	change from baseline at 8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Baylor University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: LesLee Funderburk, Associate Professor

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 6, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 10, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): June 2, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 5, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 20, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): June 29, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 29, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 20, 2023
• Last Verified: June 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: body composition; omega-3 fatty acid; strength; muscle soreness
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nervous System Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Pain; Myalgia
• Other Study ID Numbers: 1994931

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No