The effect of supplementation with n-3 fatty acids on the physical performance in subjects with spinal cord injury.
A global physical evaluation was performed in 21 males with spinal cord injury (SCI), at the beginning and at three and six months of omega-3 fatty acid (FA) supplementation. A significant increase in the proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexanoic acid in plasma was observed in response to the supplementation (p<0.05). After six months of FA supplementation, strength endurance time increased from 127.7+/-19.0 s to 215.2+/-45.6 s in the right arm, and from 139+/-27.6 s to 237.7+/-48.7 s, in the left arm. The time to perform 20 repetitions of 70% maximum workload showed a reduction of 41% between the first and the third test. The time taken to cover a 90 meter long track, with a 6% slope, was reduced from 66.9+/-8.0 s to 59.3+/-6.7 s, at the end of the study (p<0.05). In conclusion, omega-3 FA supplementation could contribute to improve the functional capabilities in SCI subjects.
Javierre
C
C
Department of Physiological Sciences II, Medical School, IDIBELL, University of Barcelona (Campus of Bellvitge), 08907 Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona. cjavierrre@ub.edu.es
Vidal
J
J
Segura
R
R
Lizarraga
M A
MA
Medina
J
J
Ventura
J L
JL
D000328:Adult; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3