Effects of Strength Training Combined With Sustainable Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in Adults Controlled Trial

August 12, 2026 updated by: Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of 12-week supplementation with algae-derived DHA combined with strength training on muscle strength, neuromuscular parameters, post-exercise inflammation and cognitive functions in healthy adults compared to fish-derived EPA and DHA combined with strength training, strength training alone and control group.

The research methods and measurement tools include:

  • Body composition assessed prior to the training intervention and after 12 weeks of training: body mass index (BMI) and body composition - fat mass [kg], body fat percentage [%] and skeletal muscle mass [kg] - will be determined using bioimpedance methods (In Body 720, Biospace, Seoul, Korea) following an overnight fast.
  • Assessment of physical activity levels using the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
  • Assessment of mood (UMACL Adjective Mood Scale) and depression (DASS-21, Beck Depression Scale).
  • The SarQoL (Sarcopenia and Quality of Life) questionnaire, used to specifically assess quality of life in people with reduced muscle mass and function.
  • Assessment of participants' diet: each participant will be required to record their diet in 3-day food diaries (to be checked on the first day of testing).
  • Blood sampling: blood will be collected from each participant at two time points before and after the intervention (on an empty stomach, and 40 minutes after the training session). The following will be collected: 1 × 6 ml blood count tube and 3 tubes with a clotting activator, with a total volume of 20 ml. Blood will be collected before the start of the training intervention and after 12 weeks of training. The tubes will be centrifuged at 4 °C (4000 × g for 10 minutes). The serum, plasma and erythrocyte fractions will then be frozen at -80 °C until analysis.
  • Peak force, relative peak force and force at 150, 200 and 250 milliseconds during isometric mid-thigh pull-ups using a Kistler platform (Kistler dynamometer platform, model 9286BA, with MARS software). The maximum load (1RM) will also be measured for each participant. Upper limb grip strength will be measured using a SAEHAN electronic dynamometer.
  • In addition, muscle electrical activity using a Noraxon Telemyo surface electromyograph will be assessed.
  • Cognitive function will be assessed using the following tests: the Stroop Test, the Corsi Block-Tapping Task and the Pattern Separation Task.

All analysis (beside IPAQ) will be performed before and after 12 weeks of intervention.

  • During the study, all participants will take part in a strength training session (around 40 mins duration) led by an experienced trainer to stimulate the muscles to release myokines.
  • Blood tests will include: BDNF, IGF-1, IL-6, hs-CRP, TNF-alpha, and IL-1B as well as concentrations of metabolites of the kynurenine pathway.

Study Overview

Status

Enrolling by invitation

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

120

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Poland
      • Gdansk, Poland
        • University of Physical Education and Sport

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria for the training group:

  • 1-2 years of strength training experience,
  • without chronic or autoimmune diseases,
  • between the ages of 25 and 35,
  • not obese,
  • not taking omega-3 fatty acids,
  • not taking protein, BCAAs, creatine, anabolic steroids, or other supplements
  • for women: not pregnant or breastfeeding, and at least 1 year after childbirth (to allow for hormonal balance to stabilize).

For the control group (non-exercisers):

- Requirements as above, except for exercise: we recruit individuals who exercise less than 1 hour per week

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: algae-derived DHA + strength training
3g of a algae-derived DHA + strength training 3 times a week through 12 weeks
Dietary supplement: Effects of Strength Training Combined With Omega-3s derived from algae on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in adults

Healthy men and women with few years of training experience will participate in a 12-week strength training program combined with 3g/per day DHA from algae supplementation. The training will be 3 times a week, with 1-hour strength-training exercises for the upper and lower body.

At the beginning and end of the intervention, muscle strength will be assessed along with EMG, cognitive function will be evaluated, and blood samples will be collected to measure specific proteins.
Experimental: fish-derived omega-3 + strength training
3g of a fish-derived omega-3 (EPA+DHA) + strength training 3 times a week through 12 weeks
Dietary supplement: Effects of Strength Training Combined With Omega-3s derived from fish on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in adults

Healthy men and women with few years of training experience will participate in a 12-week strength training program combined with EPA and DHA from fish supplementation (3g per day). The training will be 3 times a week, with 1-hour strength-training exercises for the upper and lower body.

At the beginning and end of the intervention, muscle strength will be assessed along with EMG, cognitive function will be evaluated, and blood samples will be collected to measure specific proteins.
Placebo Comparator: placebo + strength training
3g of a placebo + strength training 3 times a week through 12 weeks
Dietary supplement: Effects of Strength Training Combined With Placebo on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in adults

Healthy men and women with few years of training experience will participate in a 12-week strength training program combined with placebo supplementation. The training will be 3 times a week, with 1-hour strength-training exercises for the upper and lower body.

At the beginning and end of the intervention, muscle strength will be assessed along with EMG, cognitive function will be evaluated, and blood samples will be collected to measure specific proteins.
Active Comparator: algae-derived DHA without strength training
3g of a algae-derived DHA through 12 weeks
Dietary supplement: Effects of Omega-3s derived from algae on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in adults
Healthy, untrained men and women will participate in a 12-week DHA from algae supplementation (3g per day). At the beginning and end of the intervention, muscle strength will be assessed along with EMG, cognitive function will be evaluated, and blood samples will be collected to measure specific proteins.
Active Comparator: fish-derived omega-3 without strength training
3g of a fish-derived omega-3 (EPA+DHA) through 12 weeks
Dietary supplement: Effects of Omega-3s derived from fish on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in adults

Healthy, untrained men and women will participate in a 12-week EPA and DHA from fish supplementation (3g per day).

At the beginning and end of the intervention, muscle strength will be assessed along with EMG, cognitive function will be evaluated, and blood samples will be collected to measure specific proteins.
Placebo Comparator: placebo without strength training
3g of a placebo through 12 weeks
Dietary supplement: Effects of Placebo on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in adults
Healthy, untrained men and women will participate in a 12-week placebo supplementation. At the beginning and end of the intervention, muscle strength will be assessed along with EMG, cognitive function will be evaluated, and blood samples will be collected to measure specific proteins.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Peak force (N), relative peak force (N/kg bw) and force at 150, 200, and 250 milliseconds (N) during Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull (IMTP) and Back Squat
Time Frame: 12 weeks intervention
12 weeks intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

August 23, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

January 1, 2029

Study Completion (Estimated)

January 1, 2030

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 13, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 12, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

August 13, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 13, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 12, 2026

Last Verified

August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • AWFiS/2026_1_MT

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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