Krill-Oil-Dependent Increases in HS-Omega-3 Index, Plasma Choline and Antioxidant Capacity in Well-Conditioned Power Training Athletes.

There is evidence that both omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) and choline can influence sports performance, but information establishing their combined effects when given in the form of krill oil during power training protocols is missing. The purpose of this study was therefore to characterize n-3 PUFA and choline profiles after a one-hour period of high-intensity physical workout after 12 weeks of supplementation. Thirty-five healthy power training athletes received either 2.5 g/day of Neptune krill oilTM (550 mg EPA/DHA and 150 mg choline) or olive oil (placebo) in a randomized double-blind design. After 12 weeks, only the krill oil group showed a significant HS-Omega-3 Index increase from 4.82 to 6.77% and a reduction in the ARA/EPA ratio (from 50.72 to 13.61%) (p < 0.001). The krill oil group showed significantly higher recovery of choline concentrations relative to the placebo group from the end of the first to the beginning of the second exercise test (p = 0.04) and an 8% decrease in total antioxidant capacity post-exercise versus 21% in the placebo group (p = 0.35). In conclusion, krill oil can be used as a nutritional strategy for increasing the HS-Omega-3 Index, recover choline concentrations and address oxidative stress after intense power trainings.

Erythrocyte Omega-3 Fatty Acid Content in Elite Athletes in Response to Omega-3 Supplementation: A Dose-Response Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: Supplementation of Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3FA) in athletes is related to the anti-inflammatory and/or antioxidant effect and consequently its action on all the processes of tissue restoration and adaptation to physical stress. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the Omega-3 Index (O3Ix) response, in red blood cells, to supplemental EPA + DHA intake in the form of high purity and stable composition gums (G), in elite summer athletes. METHOD: Twenty-four summer sport athletes of both sexes, pertaining to the Olympic Training Center in Spain, were randomized to two groups (2G = 760 or 3G = 1140 mg of n-3 FA in Omegafort OKids, Ferrer Intl.) for 4 months. Five athletes and four training staff volunteers were control group. RESULTS: The O3Ix was lower than 8% in 93.1% of all the athletes. The supplementation worked in a dose-dependent manner: 144% for the 3G dose and 135% for the 2G, both p < 0.001, with a 3% significant decrease of Omega-6 FAs. No changes were observed for the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation with n-3FA increases the content of EPA DHA in the red blood cells at 4 months in a dose-dependent manner. Athletes with lower basal O3Ix were more prone to increment their levels. The study is registered with Protocol Registration and Results System (ClinicalTrials.gov) number NCT02610270.

Características antropométricas, composición corporal y somatotipo por deportes. Datos de referencia del CAR de San Cugat, 1989-2013 / Anthropometric characteristics, body composition and somatotype by sport. Reference data from a high performance centre in San Cugat, 1989-2013

Las técnicas antropométricas, administradas con el rigor que corresponde, constituyen un método repetitivo, sensible y discriminante para estimar los cambios en la composición corporal de los deportistas y son ampliamente utilizadas en al ámbito de la Medicina del Deporte. A partir de las medidas antropométricas adquiridas en el seguimiento de los deportistas del CAR de Sant Cugat desde 1989 hasta la fecha, se han elaborado unas referencias, que son representativas del nivel nacional de los deportes examinados y que corresponden a los métodos de Yuhasz, Faulkner y Drinkwater, el somatotipo de Heath-Carter y el sumatorio de 6 pliegues, con el objeto de ofrecer una ayuda y orientación a los profesionales que utilicen la cineantropometría

Anthropometric techniques, when thoroughly administered, are repetitive, discriminant and sensitive methods to study changes in the body composition of athletes. This is the reason why these techniques are widely used in Sports Medicine. In this article, a summary is presented on the anthropometric analyses performed in the High Performance Centre (CAR) of Sant Cugat, Barcelona, during the last 24 years. Using all the data, a set of references tables have been obtained based on Yuhasz, Faulkner and Drinkwater anthropometric methods, Heath-Carter somatotyping, and the sum of 6 skinfolds. These tables may be used as a guide for clinicians familiar with these techniques, being representative of the national level of the sports studied