Omega-3 Research
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J. Physiol. Biochem. 2006 Dec;62(4):271-9.
The effect of supplementation with n-3 fatty acids on the physical performance in subjects with spinal cord injury.
Javierre C, Vidal J, Segura R, Lizarraga MA, Medina J, Ventura JL.
Department of Physiological Sciences II, Medical School, IDIBELL, University of Barcelona (Campus of Bellvitge), 08907 Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona. cjavierrre@ub.edu.es
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.
