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2 Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Nutrition Services Division, Bethesda, MD, USA.
3 Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA.
4 Iovate Health Sciences International, Oakville, Canada.
5 Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab, Human Clinical Research Facility, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
6 Exercise and Performance Nutrition Laboratory, College of Science, Technology, and Health, Lindenwood University, St. Charles, MO, USA.
7 Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
8 Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, University of Regina, Regina, Canada.
9 Applied Health Sciences Program, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
10 Department of Physical Education Studies, Brandon University, Brandon, Canada.
11 Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.
12 Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
13 Player Health & Performance Department, Palermo Football Club, Palermo, Italy.
14 GalaScreen Laboratories, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy.
15 Research Division, Dynamical Business & Science Society - DBSS International SAS, Bogotá, Colombia, USA.
16 Performance& Physique Enhancement Laboratory, Exercise Science Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
17 Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
18 School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.
19 Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL, USA.
20 Department of Health and Human Performance, Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL, USA.
2 Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Nutrition Services Division, Bethesda, MD, USA.
3 Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA.
4 Iovate Health Sciences International, Oakville, Canada.
5 Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab, Human Clinical Research Facility, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
6 Exercise and Performance Nutrition Laboratory, College of Science, Technology, and Health, Lindenwood University, St. Charles, MO, USA.
7 Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
8 Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, University of Regina, Regina, Canada.
9 Applied Health Sciences Program, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
10 Department of Physical Education Studies, Brandon University, Brandon, Canada.
11 Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA.
12 Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
13 Player Health & Performance Department, Palermo Football Club, Palermo, Italy.
14 GalaScreen Laboratories, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy.
15 Research Division, Dynamical Business & Science Society - DBSS International SAS, Bogotá, Colombia, USA.
16 Performance& Physique Enhancement Laboratory, Exercise Science Program, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
17 Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
18 School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.
19 Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL, USA.
20 Department of Health and Human Performance, Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL, USA.
Position Statement: The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) presents this position based on a critical examination of the literature surrounding the effects of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3 PUFA) supplementation on exercise performance, recovery, and brain health. This position stand is intended to provide a scientific foundation for athletes, dietitians, trainers, and other practitioners regarding the effects of supplemental ω-3 PUFA in healthy and athletic populations. The following conclusions represent the official position of the ISSN: Athletes may be at a higher risk for ω-3 PUFA insufficiency.Diets rich in ω-3 PUFA, including supplements, are effective strategies for increasing ω-3 PUFA levels.ω-3 PUFA supplementation, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has been shown to enhance endurance capacity and cardiovascular function during aerobic-type exercise.ω-3 PUFA supplementation may not confer a muscle hypertrophic benefit in young adults.ω-3 PUFA supplementation in combination with resistance training may improve strength in a dose- and duration-dependent manner.ω-3 PUFA supplementation may decrease subjective measures of muscle soreness following intense exercise.ω-3 PUFA supplementation can positively affect various immune cell responses in athletic populations.Prophylactic ω-3 PUFA supplementation may offer neuroprotective benefits in athletes exposed to repeated head impacts.ω-3 PUFA supplementation is associated with improved sleep quality.ω-3 PUFA are classified as prebiotics; however, studies on the gut microbiome and gut health in athletes are currently lacking.
RJ has no conflict in terms of financial or business interests related to this manuscript. RJ is an inventor of abandoned patents on ω-3 PUFA (US20190060268, and WO2017031502). RJ has received grants and contracts to conduct research on dietary supplements; has served as a paid consultant for industry; has received honoraria for speaking at conferences and has served as an expert witness on behalf of the plaintiff and defense in cases involving dietary supplements. SA has no conflict in terms of financial or business interests related to this manuscript. SA is employed by Iovate Health Sciences International Inc. a company that sells dietary supplements. RBK has conducted sponsored research on nutritional supplements through grants and contracts awarded to the universities he has been affiliated, received honorarium for presenting research related to dietary supplements, served as an expert on cases related to dietary supplements, and consulted with industry on product development including dietary supplements containing ω-3 PUFA. CMK has no conflicts of interest to report on the content of this paper. CMK has consulted with and received external funding from companies who sell certain amino acids and dietary ingredients and has received remuneration from companies for delivering scientific presentations at conferences. He has also been paid in an advisory capacity from companies that manufacture various dietary ingredients. SMC has no conflict in terms of financial or business interests related to this manuscript. SMC has conducted sponsored research on nutritional supplements through grants awarded to the universities he has been affiliated. DMC has no conflict in terms of financial or business interests related to this manuscript. DMC is affiliated with the Pan Am Clinic Foundation which receives general education and research support from ConMed Linvatec, Ossur, Zimmer Biomet, and Arthrex. GMT has received support for his research laboratory through research funding or in-kind gifts from nutrition and sports nutrition companies, although none of these have been related to ω-3 PUFA. He is the Owner of Tinsley Consulting LLC, which provides consulting services to dietary supplement manufacturers. RC has no conflict in terms of financial or business interests related to this manuscript. RC has received grants and contracts to conduct research on dietary supplements; has served as a paid consultant for industry; has received honoraria for speaking at conferences. BIC has received grants and contracts to conduct research on dietary supplements; has served as a paid consultant for industry; has received honoraria for speaking at conferences and writing lay articles about sports nutrition ingredients and topics; is a member of the International Protein Board that disseminates knowledge on protein and protein products; has served as an expert witness on behalf of the plaintiff and defense in cases involving dietary supplements; and receives compensation for writing and providing educational services related to exercise and nutrition-related topics. SMA has no current conflicts of interest specifically related to ω-3 PUFA. He has received other funding from dietary supplement companies for research, honoraria for speaking at conferences or as an advisory board member, and consulting. JRS has no conflict of interest related to this manuscript in terms of financial or business interests. He has received grants and contracts to conduct research on dietary supplements, including ω-3 PUFA, over the past 25 years. He has also served as a paid consultant for the industry and received honoraria for speaking at conferences and writing lay articles about sports nutrition ingredients and topics. DSK declares that he has worked on contract research (through employers) that has been supported by the pharmaceutical, dietary supplement food/beverage, and medical devices industries. JA is the CEO of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), which is a 501c3 academic non-profit. The ISSN has received on occasion grant support from companies that sell, market, or manufacture ω-3 PUFA. JLH, BD, ML, SCF, DGC, and TB have no conflicts to declare.
Figures
Figure 1.
Potential health benefits of ω-3…
Figure 1.
Potential health benefits of ω-3 PUFA supplementation in athletes (illustration by Stephen Somers,…
Figure 1.
Potential health benefits of ω-3 PUFA supplementation in athletes (illustration by Stephen Somers, Milwaukee, WI, USA).
Figure 2.
Prolonged maximal exercise can induce…
Figure 2.
Prolonged maximal exercise can induce leaky gut (adapted from Dr. Jeremy Townsend).
Figure 2.
Prolonged maximal exercise can induce leaky gut (adapted from Dr. Jeremy Townsend).
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