4-week eicosapentaenoic acid-rich fish oil supplementation partially protects muscular damage following eccentric contractions

Abstract Background We previously showed 8-week of fish oil supplementation attenuated muscle damage. However, the effect a shorter period is unclear. The present study investigated oil, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA), for 4 weeks on muscular damage caused by eccentric contractions (ECCs) elbow flexors. Methods Twenty-two untrained men were recruited in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design subjects randomly assigned to EPA DHA group (EPA DHA, n = 11) placebo (PL, 11). They consumed either 600 mg 260 per day or supplement prior exercise. Subjects performed 60 ECCs at 100 % maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) using dumbbell. Changes MVC torque, range motion (ROM), upper arm circumference, soreness, echo intensity, thickness, serum creatine kinase (CK), interleukin-6 (IL-6) assessed before exercise; immediately after 1, 2, 3, 5 days Results ROM was significantly higher than PL performing ( p < 0.05). No differences between groups observed terms thickness. A significant difference CK 3 Conclusions concluded that benefits joint flexibility protection fiber following ECCs.