Abstract
Background:
Omega 3 fatty acids supplementation may have an attenuative effect on exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) through the cell membrane stabilization. The purpose of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of omega 3 fatty acids supplementation, on indirect blood markers of muscle damage following EIMD in trained and untrained individuals.
Methods:
Scopus, Medline, and Google scholar systematically searched up to January 2021. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used for the quality of studies. Random-effects model, weighted mean difference (WMD), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were applied for the overall effect estimating. The heterogeneity between studies was evaluated applying the chi-squared and I2 statistic.
Results:
The outcomes showed a significant effect of omega 3 supplementation on reducing creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and myoglobin (Mb) concentrations. In addition, a subgroup analysis indicated a significant reduction in CK, LDH, and Mb concentrations, based on follow-ups after exercise, studies duration, time of supplementation, and training status.
Conclusion:
The current meta-analysis indicated an efficacy of omega 3 in reducing CK, LDH, and Mb serum concentration among healthy individuals, overall and in subgroups analysis. Thus, omega 3 should be considered as a priority EIMD recovery agent in interventions.
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