The Omega-3 Index measures how much of the Omega-3 fats EPA and DHA are built into red blood cell membranes. These fats are essential for health, but the body cannot make enough of them, so they must come from foods like oily fish or from supplements. The Index reflects long-term Omega-3 intake and is considered optimal at 8% or higher. Levels below this range have been linked with poorer cardiovascular health (Harris \& Von Schacky, 2004).
. For athletes, Omega-3 research suggests they can help reduce inflammation, ease muscle soreness, and support immune function. Despite this, many elite athletes appear to have Omega-3 Index values around 4-5%, well below the recommended level of 8%.
Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate whether increasing the Omega-3 index has any recovery benefits post a bout of downhill running in athletes. Downhill running is commonly used as way to cause exercise-induced muscle damage and study recovery. The Omega-3 index will be increased with a daily fish oil supplement.
An Omega-3 index of ≤ 6%
Age 18-50 years
Sub-elite to elite athletes from local sports teams (e.g. cycling, triathlon)
Male and female
inflammatory diseases, injuries that prevent them exercising.
Parallel
Oil Supplementation
Dietary supplementWe are providing fish oil supplementation with the aim to increase the omega 3 index (O3I) in red blood cells from a low amount (5-6%) to a high amount \>8%. The fish oil group will be provided a supplement with a dose of EPA and DHA which is designed for them to get to this level. The placebo group has a supplement which is not designed to increase the EPA + DHA in the blood. After 4 months, the O3I levels in the blood will be checked and if they have reached the appropriate level they will proceed to the next phase which is to complete a muscle damaging protocol specifically down hill running. They will then be assessed on their recovery directly post exercise, 24h, 48h, and 72h post exercise.
Plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration
Venous blood samples will be collected at baseline (pre-exercise) and during recovery at immediately post-exercise, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours post-exercise. Samples will be processed to obtain plasma and stored at -80°C in coded tubes to maintain participant confidentiality. After completion of sample collection for all participants, plasma IL-6 concentration will be quantified (e.g., via immunoassay) and reported as concentration at each time point and/or change from baseline.
Plasma interleukin-10 (IL-10) concentration
Venous blood samples will be collected at baseline (pre-exercise) and during recovery at immediately post-exercise, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours post-exercise. Samples will be processed to obtain plasma and stored at -80°C in coded tubes to maintain participant confidentiality. After completion of sample collection for all participants, plasma IL-10 concentration will be quantified (e.g., via immunoassay) and reported as concentration at each time point and/or change from baseline.
Plasma Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) concentration
Venous blood samples will be collected at baseline (pre-exercise) and during recovery at immediately post-exercise, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours post-exercise. Samples will be processed to obtain plasma and stored at -80°C in coded tubes to maintain participant confidentiality. After completion of sample collection for all participants, plasma TNF-α concentration will be quantified (e.g., via immunoassay) and reported as concentration at each time point and/or change from baseline.
Myoglobin concentration
Venous blood samples will be collected at baseline (pre-exercise) and during recovery at immediately post-exercise, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours post-exercise. Samples will be processed to obtain both plasma and serum and stored at -80°C in coded tubes to maintain participant confidentiality. After completion of sample collection for all participants, myoglobin concentration will be quantified (e.g., via immunoassay) and reported as concentration at each time point and/or change from baseline.
Muscle soreness (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS)
Participants will complete 5 bodyweight squats, then rate perceived leg muscle soreness using a visual analogue scale (VAS) by placing a mark on a 100-mm line anchored from "no soreness" to "worst soreness imaginable." The score will be recorded in mm (0-100) at each assessment time point and analysed as the VAS value and/or change from baseline.
Muscle soreness (Borg CR-10 Scale)
Participants will rate perceived exertion using the Borg Category-Ratio 10 (CR-10) scale at baseline (pre-exercise), immediately post-exercise, and during recovery at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours post-exercise (aligned with venous sampling time points). The CR-10 ranges from 0 ("nothing at all") to 10 ("maximal"), and participants will select the number that best represents their exertion. Scores will be recorded in CR-10 units at each time point and analysed as the value and/or change from baseline.
Knee extensor strength (isokinetic dynamometry: peak torque at 60°/s)
Peak torque of the knee extensors will be assessed using a Cybex isokinetic dynamometer at an angular velocity of 60°·s-¹. Testing will be performed at all study assessment time points (baseline and post-exercise recovery visits). Peak torque will be recorded in N·m for each assessment and analysed as the value at each time point and/or change from baseline.
Knee extensor isometric endurance (time to task failure at 50% peak torque)
Knee extensor isometric endurance will be assessed using the Cybex dynamometer. After determination of knee extensor peak torque, participants will perform a sustained isometric contraction at 50% of their isokinetic peak torque and will be instructed to hold the target force/torque for as long as possible. The test will be terminated when the participant can no longer maintain the target (time to task failure). Endurance will be recorded as time (seconds) at each assessment time point and analysed as the value and/or change from baseline.
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