Buckley, J.D., Burgess, S., Murphy, K.J., and Howe, P.R.J. (2005) Effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on cardiovascular risk, exercise performance and recovery in Australian Football League (AFL) players. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 14 (Suppl). s57-s57.

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Abstract

Background - Long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCn-3) can improve cardiovascular (CV) function and reduce the risk of CV disease. Studies have investigated the potential for these CV benefits to improve athletic performance without success, but none have investigated effects on recovery.

Objectives - To examine the effect of LCn-3 on exercise performance, recovery, and CV risk in AFL players.

Design - Twenty-five AFL players completed a five week training program during which they were randomised, double-blind, to consume six g/day of fish oil (FO; n=12, HiDHA®, Numega Ingredients Pty Ltd) or sunflower oil (C; n=13). At baseline and after five weeks erythrocyte (RBC) membrane LCn-3 content and fasting serum triglyceride (TG) concentrations were assessed, and players performed two treadmill runs (R1 and R2) to exhaustion separated by five min of recovery. Heart rate (HR) was monitored throughout each treadmill run. R1 assessed running performance while R2 assessed recovery (expressed as % of R1).

Outcomes – After five weeks, RBC LCn-3 content had increased 47.4 ± 11.2% in FO (P <0.001) and TG had decreased significantly compared with C (FO, -25.4 ± 4.9%, C, 4.9 ± 7.0%; P =0.002). HR during steady-state submaximal exercise decreased significantly in FO compared with C (FO, -8 ± 2 bpm, C -2 ± 2 bpm; P =0.05). Time to exhaustion during R1 increased in both groups (P <0.001) but by similar amounts (FO, 10.2 ± 2.2%, C 17.3 ± 4.3%; P =0.18). Recovery did not change in either group (FO, -2.6 ± 10.9%, C -13.5 ± 6.0%; P =0.87).

Conclusion - Five weeks of supplementing AFL players with LCn-3 reduced HR during submaximal exercise and fasting TG, reflecting improved CV function and decreased CV risk, but did not enhance endurance exercise performance or recovery.

Item ID:	93765
Item Type:	Article (Abstract)
ISSN:	1440-6047
Date Deposited:	29 Sep 2026 01:56
FoR Codes:	42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4207 Sports science and exercise > 420702 Exercise physiology @ 100%
SEO Codes:	20 HEALTH > 2099 Other health > 209999 Other health not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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