Save

Effect of a 4-week fish oil supplementation on neuromuscular performance after exhaustive exercise in young healthy men

In: Comparative Exercise Physiology
Authors:
A. Serajian Department of Exercise physiology, Shahid-Beheshti University, Tehran, 19839-63112, Iran.

Search for other papers by A. Serajian in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
M. Nourshahi Department of Exercise physiology, Shahid-Beheshti University, Tehran, 19839-63112, Iran.

Search for other papers by M. Nourshahi in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
E. LaVoy Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, 3875 Holman St., Houston, TX 77204-6015, USA.

Search for other papers by E. LaVoy in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
D. Eliaspour Department of physical medicine and rehabilitation, Shahid-Beheshti university of medical sciences, Tehran, 1989934147, Iran.

Search for other papers by D. Eliaspour in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
H. Rajabi Department of exercise physiology, Kharazmi University, Tehran, 37551-31979, Iran.

Search for other papers by H. Rajabi in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
R. Zekri Kondalaji Department of exercise physiology, Tabriz University, 29 Bahman Boulevard, Tabriz, 5166616471, Iran.

Search for other papers by R. Zekri Kondalaji in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Download Citation Get Permissions

Access options

Get access to the full article by using one of the access options below.

Institutional Login

Log in with Open Athens, Shibboleth, or your institutional credentials

Login via Institution

Purchase

Buy instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):

$40.00

Neuromuscular function is one of the important factors affecting athletic performance. Previous studies have shown that fish oil supplementation can improve performance. This study investigated the effect of fish oil on neuromuscular performance after exhausting exercise. Eighteen healthy men (mean ± standard deviation; age 26.9±2.6 years; weight 78.33±10.42 kg; height 175.8±4.9 cm; body fat percentage 18.40±5.46%) voluntarily participated and were randomly assigned to fish and corn oil groups in a double blind manner. Participants received 6 g/day of oil for 4 weeks, while maintaining baseline diet and training status during the study. Changes in maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the tibialis anterior muscle, neuromuscular propagation of tibialis anterior muscle (M-wave), corticospinal excitability (MEP: motor evoked potential), and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were evaluated before and after supplementation in response to a modified Bruce exhausting protocol. Group differences in changes in each variable following supplementation were assessed by two-way analysis of variances (ANOVA). Compared to corn oil, fish oil demonstrated less perceived exertion at the end of exhaustive exercise (F=9.72, P=0.001) after supplementation, and normalised MEP to M-wave showed a trend (F=3.83, P=0.071). However, M-wave peak to peak amplitudes changes were not significant between the groups (P>0.05). In addition, significant differences were observed between baseline MVC values of the group following supplementation. Thus, it seems that fish oil can improve corticospinal excitability, thereby improving neuromuscular function in exhausting activities. Therefore, fish oil supplementation may be recommended to increase performance in activities otherwise limited. However, the mechanism underlying this effect remains to be elucidated.

Content Metrics

All Time Past 365 days Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 154 122 21
Full Text Views 2 2 1
PDF Views & Downloads 11 7 3