NCT07134140

Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Muscle Function and Health

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

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 32 (estimated)
• Sponsor: European University Cyprus · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 20 Years – 45 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

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).

Conditions

• Healthy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
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).

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-09-01
• Primary completion: 2026-08-01
• Completion: 2026-08-01
• First posted: 2025-08-21
• Last updated: 2025-08-21

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Cyprus