title: Fit with good fat? The role of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on exercise performance.
abstract: N-3 PUFA (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are a family of fatty acids mainly found in oily fish and fish oil supplements. The effects of n-3 PUFA on health are mainly derived from its anti-inflammatory proprieties and its influence on immune function. Lately an increased interest in n-3 PUFA supplementation has reached the world of sport nutrition, where the majority of athletes rely on nutrition strategies to improve their training and performance. A vast amount of attention is paid in increasing metabolic capacity, delaying the onset of fatigue, and improving muscle hypertrophy and neuromuscular function. Nutritional strategies are also frequently considered for enhancing recovery, improving immune function and decreasing oxidative stress. The current review of the literature shows that data regarding the effects of n-3PUFA supplementation are conflicting and we conclude that there is, therefore, not enough evidence supporting a beneficial role on the aforementioned aspects of exercise performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life and Natural Sciences, University of Derby, Derby, England, DE22 1GB, UK. Electronic address: M.Da-Boit@derby.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Mariasole
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Da Boit
authors.affiliation: Health & Exercise Sciences Research Group, School of Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, FK9 4LA, UK.
authors.forename: Angus M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Stuart R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Gray
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils
keywords: Athletes; Exercise performance; Fish oil; Nutrition