Buckley, Jonathan D., Burgess, Shane, Murphy, Karen J., and Howe, Peter R.C. (2009) DHA-rich fish oil lowers heart rate during submaximal exercise in elite Australian Rules footballers. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 12 (4). pp. 503-507.

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Abstract

Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3) can improve cardiovascular (CV) function. This study examined the effects of n-3 on endurance performance, recovery and CV risk factors in elite Australian Rules football players. 25 players were randomised, double-blind, to 6 g/day of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich fish oil (FO; n = 12) or sunflower oil (SO; n = 13) during 5 weeks of training. At baseline erythrocyte n-3 content, resting blood pressure (BP), fasting serum triglycerides (TG) and heart rate (HR) during treadmill running at 10 km/h were assessed. Two treadmill runs (T1 and T2) to exhaustion, separated by 5 min, were then performed at the average speed for a recent 2200 m time-trial. After 5 weeks, erythrocyte n-3 increased (FO 3.8 ± 0.6%, SO 0.6 ± 0.3%; P < 0.001) while TG (FO -0.32 ± 0.09 mmol l^-1, SO 0.08 ± 0.05 mmol l^-1; P < 0.001), diastolic BP (FO 1.3 ± 1.3 mmHg, SO 6.8 ± 1.7 mmHg; P = 0.04) and HR during submaximal exercise (FO -7.8 ± 2.3 beats min^-1, SO -1.9 ± 1.9 beats min^-1; P = 0.03) decreased in FO compared with SO. Time to exhaustion (TTE) during T1 increased by Week 5 (FO 10.2 ± 2.2%, SO 17.3 ± 4.3%; P < 0.001 for time). Recovery (TTE for T2 as % T1) decreased in both groups (FO, -3.4 ± 4.5%, SO -8.8 ± 3.9%; P = 0.05 for time). We conclude that 5 weeks of supplementation with FO improved CV function and reduced CV risk factors, but did not improve endurance performance or recovery in elite Australian Rules footballers. © 2008 Sports Medicine Australia.

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