title: Supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid-rich fish oil improves exercise economy and reduces perceived exertion during submaximal steady-state exercise in normal healthy untrained men.
abstract: Based on the effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on reduction of blood viscosity, we theorized that PUFA could improve aerobic performance by increasing oxygen supply to tissues. Twenty male subjects were randomly divided into two groups (n = 10): a fish oil group (FG) and a control (CG). Maximal oxygen uptake and oxygen uptake during submaximal exercise were measured using a cycle ergometer. For 8 weeks, the FG then ingested capsules containing 3.6 g/day of EPA-rich fish oil, while the CG took 3.6 g/day of a medium-chain triglyceride. After supplementation, erythrocyte EPA and DHA in the FG were significantly increased. In the FG, a negative linear correlation was detected in the change between erythrocyte EPA and whole oxygen uptake during submaximal exercise pre- and post-supplementation. The present study showed that EPA-rich fish oil supplementation improves exercise economy in humans.
authors.affiliation: a Human Life Science R&D Center , Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd , Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Fuminori
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kawabata
authors.forename: Mitsuo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Neya
authors.forename: Kei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hamazaki
authors.forename: Yuya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsuji
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005395:Fish Oils; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid
keywords: DHA; EPA; endurance capacity; exercise economy; fish oil