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Omega-3 supplementation with resistance training does not improve body composition or lower biomarkers of inflammation more so than resistance training alone in older men.

Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.)
December 1, 2018
Stephen M Cornish et al. (6 authors)
Comparative StudyJournal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine if 3.0 g/d of omega-3 fatty acids (including docosahexaenoic acid) combined with resistance training improved body composition and reduced inflammatory cytokines in older men compared to placebo and resistance training alone.

Results Summary

The study found that resistance training alone significantly improved body composition, muscle strength, and functional ability, but omega-3 supplementation provided no additional benefits and did not affect inflammatory cytokines.

Population

Older men aged 65 years and above.

Effective Dosage

3.0 g/d of omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid).

Duration

12 weeks.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (14)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
3.0 g/d of omega-3 fatty acid (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) supplementation combined with progressive resistance training
increase
lean tissue mass
older men
-
significantly greater improvement
#1
3.0 g/d of omega-3 fatty acid (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) supplementation combined with progressive resistance training
decrease
interleukin-6
older men
-
significant decrease
#2
3.0 g/d of omega-3 fatty acid (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) supplementation combined with progressive resistance training
decrease
tumor necrosis factor-α
older men
-
significant decrease
#3
progressive resistance training
decrease
percent body fat
older men
-2.5%
significant main effect for time
#4
progressive resistance training
increase
lean tissue mass
older men
+1.1%
significant main effect for time
#5
progressive resistance training
increase
lumbar bone mineral density
older men
+1.1%
significant main effect for time
#6
progressive resistance training
increase
hip bone mineral content
older men
+1.1%
significant main effect for time
#7
progressive resistance training
increase
chest press strength
older men
+31%
significant main effect for time
#8
progressive resistance training
increase
leg press strength
older men
+37%
significant main effect for time
#9
progressive resistance training
decrease
timed-up-and-go
older men
-6.6%
significant main effect for time
#10
progressive resistance training
increase
6-minute walk distance
older men
+4.5%
significant main effect for time
#11
progressive resistance training
no change
inflammatory cytokines
older men
no significant change
No significant effects were noted
#12
omega-3 supplementation
no change
parameters of body composition, skeletal muscle strength, and functional ability
older men
-
did nothing to enhance
#13
omega-3 supplementation
no change
inflammatory biomarkers
older men
-
did nothing to influence
#14
Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 3.0 g/d of omega-3 fatty acid (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) supplementation combined with progressive resistance training to improve body composition and lower inflammatory cytokines in older men when compared to placebo and resistance training. We hypothesized that completing a 12-week omega-3 supplementation period along with whole body resistance exercise (3 times/wk) would result in a significantly greater improvement in lean tissue mass as well as a significant decrease in interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α when compared to placebo. A total of 23 older men (≥65 years old) were randomized to an omega-3 supplementation group (n = 11) or placebo group (n = 12), and all the participants completed the same whole body progressive resistance training program. Baseline and 12-week data collection included body composition, muscle strength, functional ability, and inflammatory cytokines. Results indicated a significant main effect for time (all P < .05) for percent body fat (-2.5%), lean tissue mass (+1.1%), lumbar bone mineral density (+1.1%), hip bone mineral content (+1.1%), chest press strength (+31%), leg press strength (+37%), timed-up-and-go (-6.6%), and 6-minute walk distance (+4.5%) from baseline to post 12 weeks. No significant effects were noted for the 2 inflammatory cytokines measured (P > .05). We conclude that progressive resistance training exercise is an excellent method to enhance parameters of body composition, skeletal muscle strength, and functional ability in older men, whereas omega-3 supplementation did nothing to enhance these parameters or influence inflammatory biomarkers.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Adipose TissueAgedBiomarkersBody CompositionBody Fluid CompartmentsBone DensityCytokinesDietary SupplementsExerciseFatty Acids, Omega-3HumansInflammationMaleMuscle StrengthMuscle, SkeletalPhysical Functional PerformanceResistance Training
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy20/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations43
Citations/Year6.1
Relative Citation Ratio2.62
NIH Percentile81.9%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score2.16
Normalized Score0.43
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