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Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Muscle Function and Health

No phase Interventional Healthy

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: Omega-3, Placebo comparator.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Healthy. Basic parameters: 20 years — 45 years · All.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
Cyprus
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

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Official title

Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Muscle Performance, Neuromuscular Function, and Inflammation at Rest and Following Eccentric Exercise.

Overview

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.

Detailed 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).

Interventions

  • Dietary supplement Omega-3
    Participants will take three capsules per day (a total of 1,500 mg EPA and 750 mg DHA). They will take 1 g with each main meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
  • Dietary supplement Placebo comparator
    Participants will take 3 g of olive oil. They will take 1 g with each main meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).

Primary outcome measures

  • Muscle Strength [Time frame: Changes in muscle strength after the first bout (week 0) and the second bout of exercise (week 12) from baseline (immediately before each bout) and at day 2 and day 4 after each exercise bout.]
  • Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO₂ max) [Time frame: Changes in VO₂ max after the first bout (week 0) and the second bout of exercise (week 12) from baseline (immediately before each bout) and at day 2 and day 4 after each exercise bout.]
  • Muscle Fatigue Index (MFI) [Time frame: Changes in MFI after the first bout (week 0) and the second bout of exercise (week 12) from baseline (immediately before each bout) and at day 2 and day 4 after each exercise bout.]
  • Muscle Oxygenation [Time frame: Changes in muscle oxygenation after the first bout (week 0) and the second bout of exercise (week 12) from baseline (immediately before each bout) and at day 2 and day 4 after each exercise bout.]
  • Creatine Kinase [Time frame: Change in creatine kinase activity after the first bout (week 0) and the second bout of exercise (week 12) from baseline (immediately before each bout) and at day 2 and day 4 after each exercise bout.]
  • Range of Motion (ROM) [Time frame: Change in ROM after the first bout (week 0) and the second bout of exercise (week 12) from baseline (immediately before each bout) and at day 2 and day 4 after each exercise bout.]
  • Muscle Thickness [Time frame: Change in muscle thickness after the first bout (week 0) and the second bout of exercise (week 12) from baseline (immediately before each bout) and at day 2 and day 4 after each exercise bout.]
  • Echo Intensity [Time frame: Change in echo intensity after the first bout (week 0) and the second bout of exercise (week 12) from baseline (immediately before each bout) and at day 2 and day 4 after each exercise bout.]
  • Blood Lipids Profile [Time frame: Change in blood lipids from baseline (immediately before supplementation) to 12 weeks after the supplementation period.]
Secondary outcome measures (12)
  • Omega-3 Index [Time frame: Change in omega-3 index in red blood cells from baseline (immediately before supplementation) to 12 weeks after the supplementation period.]
  • Rate of Force Development (RFD). [Time frame: Change in RFD after the first bout (week 0) and the second bout of exercise (week 12) from baseline (immediately before each bout) and at day 2 and day 4 after each exercise bout.]
  • Electromechanical Delay (EMD) [Time frame: Change in EMD after the first bout (week 0) and the second bout of exercise (week 12) from baseline (immediately before each bout) and at day 2 and day 4 after each exercise bout.]
  • Force Matching Error (FME) [Time frame: Change in FME after the first bout (week 0) and the second bout of exercise (week 12) from baseline (immediately before each bout) and at day 2 and day 4 after each exercise bout.]
  • Joint Position Sense (JPS) [Time frame: Change in JPS after the first bout (week 0) and the second bout of exercise (week 12) from baseline (immediately before each bout) and at day 2 and day 4 after each exercise bout.]
  • Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). [Time frame: Change in DOMS after the first bout (week 0) and the second bout of exercise (week 12) from baseline (immediately before each bout) and at day 2 and day 4 after each exercise bout.]
  • Countermovement Jump (CMJ) [Time frame: Change in CMJ after the first bout (week 0) and the second bout of exercise (week 12) from baseline (immediately before each bout) and at day 2 and day 4 after each exercise bout.]
  • Contact Time [Time frame: Change in contact time after the first bout (week 0) and the second bout of exercise (week 12) from baseline (immediately before each bout) and at day 2 and day 4 after each exercise bout.]
  • Stability Index [Time frame: Change in stability index after the first bout (week 0) and the second bout of exercise (week 12) from baseline (immediately before each bout) and at day 2 and day 4 after each exercise bout.]
  • F2-Isoprostanes [Time frame: Change in F2-Isoprostanes after the first bout (week 0) and the second bout of exercise (week 12) from baseline (immediately before each bout) and at day 2 and day 4 after each exercise bout.]
  • Glutathione [Time frame: Change in glutathione after the first bout (week 0) and the second bout of exercise (week 12) from baseline (immediately before each bout) and at day 2 and day 4 after each exercise bout.]
  • Protein carbonyls [Time frame: Change in protein carbonyls after the first bout (week 0) and the second bout of exercise (week 12) from baseline (immediately before each bout) and at day 2 and day 4 after each exercise bout.]

Eligibility criteria

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.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: Yes

Study design

Allocation
Randomized
Model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Quadruple blind
Primary purpose
Supportive care

Study locations

Cyprus · 1 center
  • European University Cyprus — Nicosia

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07134140 · EUC omega-3

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗