engleski

The effect of n-3 PUFA supplementation on physical performance and microvascular function

It is well accepted that for athletes, balanced nutrition, rich in proteins and carbohydrates is of utmost importance to achieve expected sports’ results. In addition, the fast and full recovery of muscles and overall body status may also be influenced by diet. Recently, fat content as well as the fat composition came into the focus of interest in sport nutrition. Among them, particular interest has been evocated by polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for their beneficiary effect on vascular health and potential to improve physical performance. For example, treatment with n-3 PUFAs enhances brachial artery blood flow and conductance during exercise and enhances microvascular postocclusive hyperemic response in healthy humans. PUFAs n-3 supplementation may improve anaerobic endurance and may modulate oxygen consumption during intense exercise, due to incorporation in skeletal muscle membrane incorporation, may increase metabolic capacity, delaying the onset of fatigue, and improving muscle hypertrophy and neuromuscular function in humans. Animal studies demonstrated enhanced endurance capacity to exercise. In addition, n-3 PUFAs have anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects and may attenuate the delayed onset muscle soreness and muscle stiffness, and to preserve joint motions. On the other hand, some studies were not able to provide evidences of beneficiary effects of dietary PUFAs on skeletomuscular system in athletes. N-3 PUFAs’ effects were variably observed in men and women and vary depending on dietary protocol, type of supplementation and type of undertaken sports activity. Randomized controlled clinical studies are necessary for better insight into PUFAs effects on vascular, and muscular function and endurance in athletes.

n-3 PUFA, microcirculation, muscular endurance, athletes, diet

work supported by European Structural and Investment Funds, frant for the Croatian National Scientific Center of Excellence for Personalized Health Care, University Josip Juraj Strossmayer Osijek, #KK.01.1.1.01.0010