The Influence of Omega-3 Supplementation on Athletic Performance, Grip Strength, and Body Composition in NCAA Division I Collegiate Track & Field Athletes Original Research
Main Article Content
Keywords
Fish oil, Sport performance, n-3 PUFA
Abstract
Introduction: NCAA track and field (T&F) athletes hold one of the longest competitive seasons, making adequate nutrition and supplementation critical. Studies suggest that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) supplementation may benefit athletic performance, strength, and body composition. This study examined the effects of n-3 PUFA supplementation on sport performance, hand grip strength, and body composition in NCAA Division I T&F athletes.
Methods: Twenty-five NCAA Division I T&F athletes (14 females, 11 males) were recruited. In a single-blind randomized controlled trial, participants consumed either: 4.0 grams of fish oil (FO) or 4.0 grams of placebo (i.e., coconut oil) daily for eight weeks, starting at the beginning of their outdoor season competitions. Body composition, hand grip strength, sport performance, and omega-3 indexes were sampled prior to in-season competition and following the 8-week supplementation. Data were analyzed using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA (p < 0.05).
Results: FO group saw a significant increase in omega-3 index (p = 0.004, but no significant differences in body composition, hand grip strength, or performance. Despite improvement in omega-3 index, all participants still possessed levels below current recommendations.
Conclusions: No changes in body composition, hand grip strength, or sport performance were found, despite improvements in omega-3 status with supplementation.
References
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21. Ritz PP, Rogers MB, Zabinsky JS, et al. Dietary and Biological Assessment of the Omega-3 Status of Collegiate Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Analysis. Sauers E, ed. PLOS ONE. 2020;15(4):e0228834. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0228834
22. Heileson JL, McGowen JM, Moris JM, et al. Body Composition, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, and Vitamin D are Associated with Army Combat Fitness Test Performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2022;19(1):349-365. doi:10.1080/15502783.2022.2094717
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24. McGlory C, Galloway SDR, Hamilton DL, et al. Temporal changes in human skeletal muscle and blood lipid composition with fish oil supplementation. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2014;90(6):199-206. doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2014.03.001
25. McDonald C, Bauer J, Capra S. Omega-3 fatty acids and changes in LBM: alone or in synergy for better muscle health? Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2013;91(6):459-468. doi:10.1139/cjpp-2012-0304
26. Lewis NA, Daniels D, Calder PC, Castell LM, Pedlar CR. Are There Benefits from the Use of Fish Oil Supplements in Athletes? A Systematic Review. Adv Nutr. 2020;11(5):1300-1314. doi:10.1093/advances/nmaa050
27. Couet C, Delarue J, Ritz P, Antoine JM, Lamisse F. Effect of dietary fish oil on body fat mass and basal fat oxidation in healthy adults. Int J Obes. 1997;21(8):637-643. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0800451
28. Noreen EE, Sass MJ, Crowe ML, Pabon VA, Brandauer J, Averill LK. Effects of supplemental fish oil on resting metabolic rate, body composition, and salivary cortisol in healthy adults. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2010;7(1):31. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-7-31
29. NCAA 2022-2023 Division I Manual. Published online August 2022.
30. Heileson JL, Funderburk LK. The effect of fish oil supplementation on the promotion and preservation of lean body mass, strength, and recovery from physiological stress in young, healthy adults: a systematic review. Nutr Rev. 2020;78(12):1001-1014. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuaa034
31. Heileson JL, Machek SB, Harris DR, et al. The effect of fish oil supplementation on resistance training-induced adaptations. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2023;20(1):2174704. doi:10.1080/15502783.2023.2174704
32. American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. 11th Edition. Wolters Kluwer; 2022.
33. Carrion BM, Wells A, Mayhew JL, Koch AJ. Concordance Among Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Measures of Percent Body Fat in Athletic Young Adults. Int J Exerc Sci. 2019;12(4):324-331.
34. Miller RM, Chambers TL, Burns SP. Validating InBody 570 Multi-frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer versus DXA for Body Fat Percentage Analysis. J Exerc Physiol. 206AD;19(5):71-78.
35. Alkhedhairi SAa, Aba Alkhayl FF, Ismail AD, et al. The effect of krill oil supplementation on skeletal muscle function and size in older adults: A randomised controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2022;41(6):1228-1235. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2022.04.007
36. Harris WS. The Omega-3 Index: Clinical Utility for Therapeutic Intervention. Curr Cardiol Rep. 2010;12(6):503-508. doi:10.1007/s11886-010-0141-6
37. Von Schacky C. Omega-3 index in 2018/19. Proc Nutr Soc. 2020;79(4):381-387. doi:10.1017/S0029665120006989
38. Lembke P, Capodice J, Hebert K, Swenson T. Influence of omega-3 (n3) index on performance and wellbeing in young adults after heavy eccentric exercise. J Sports Sci Med. 2014;13(1):151-156.
39. Heileson J, Elliott A, Buzzard J, Cholewinski M, Gallucci A, Funderburk L. The Impact of Long-Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Body Composition, Strength, and Power in Collegiate Athletes. J Exerc Nutr. 2022;5(1). doi:10.53520/jen2022.103116
40. Ackland TR, Lohman TG, Sundgot-Borgen J, et al. Current Status of Body Composition Assessment in Sport: Review and Position Statement on Behalf of the Ad Hoc Research Working Group on Body Composition Health and Performance, Under the Auspices of the I.O.C. Medical Commission. Sports Med. 2012;42(3):227-249. doi:10.2165/11597140-000000000-00000
41. Peppa M, Stefanaki C, Papaefstathiou A, Boschiero D, Dimitriadis G, Chrousos G. Bioimpedance analysis vs. DEXA as a screening tool for osteosarcopenia in lean, overweight and obese Caucasian postmenopausal females. HORMONES. 2017;16(2). doi:10.14310/horm.2002.1732
2. Becton S. These are the NCAA athletes competing at 2023 World Championships in Budapest. Published online August 17, 2023. Accessed September 1, 2023. https://www.ncaa.com/news/trackfield-outdoor-women/article/2023-08-17/these-are-ncaa-athletes-competing-2023-world-championships-budapest
3. Papadopoulou SK. Rehabilitation Nutrition for Injury Recovery of Athletes: The Role of Macronutrient Intake. Nutrients. 2020;12(8):2449. doi:10.3390/nu12082449
4. Houtkooper L, Abbot JM, Nimmo M. Nutrition for throwers, jumpers, and combined events athletes. J Sports Sci. 2007;25(sup1):S39-S47. doi:10.1080/02640410701607262
5. Schröder S, Fischer A, Vock C, et al. Nutrition Concepts for Elite Distance Runners Based on Macronutrient and Energy Expenditure. J Athl Train. 2008;43(5):489-504. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-43.5.489
6. Sygo J, Kendig Glass A, Killer SC, Stellingwerff T. Fueling for the Field: Nutrition for Jumps, Throws, and Combined Events. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2019;29(2):95-105. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0272
7. Weyand PG, Davis JA. Running performance has a structural basis. J Exp Biol. 2005;208(14):2625-2631. doi:10.1242/jeb.01609
8. Weyand PG, Sandell RF, Prime DNL, Bundle MW. The biological limits to running speed are imposed from the ground up. J Appl Physiol. 2010;108(4):950-961. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00947.2009
9. Chapman-Lopez TJ, Koh Y. The Effects of Medium-Chain Triglyceride Oil Supplementation on Endurance Performance and Substrate Utilization in Healthy Populations: A Systematic Review. J Obes Metab Syndr. 2022;31(3):217-229. doi:10.7570/jomes22028
10. Clénin G, Cordes M, Huber A, et al. Iron deficiency in sports – definition, influence on performance and therapy. Swiss Med Wkly. Published online October 29, 2015. doi:10.4414/smw.2015.14196
11. De Oliveira GV, Nascimento LADD, Volino-Souza M, Mesquita JDS, Alvares TS. Beetroot-based gel supplementation improves handgrip strength and forearm muscle O 2 saturation but not exercise tolerance and blood volume in jiu-jitsu athletes. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2018;43(9):920-927. doi:10.1139/apnm-2017-0828
12. Tabata S, Yamasawa F, Torii S, et al. Use of nutritional supplements by elite Japanese track and field athletes. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2020;17(1):38. doi:10.1186/s12970-020-00370-9
13. Swanson D, Block R, Mousa SA. Omega-3 Fatty Acids EPA and DHA: Health Benefits Throughout Life. Adv Nutr. 2012;3(1):1-7. doi:10.3945/an.111.000893
14. Wilson PB, Madrigal LA. Associations Between Whole Blood and Dietary Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Levels in Collegiate Athletes. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2016;26(6):497-505. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2015-0316
15. Anzalone A, Carbuhn A, Jones L, et al. The Omega-3 Index in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Collegiate Football Athletes. J Athl Train. 2019;54(1):7-11. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-387-18
16. Gligor Șerban, Gligor R. The potential role of omega-3 fatty acids supplements in increasing athletic performance. Timisoara Phys Educ Rehabil J. 2016;9(16):25-34. doi:10.1515/tperj-2016-0004
17. Żebrowska A, Mizia-Stec K, Mizia M, Gąsior Z, Poprzęcki S. Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation improves endothelial function and maximal oxygen uptake in endurance-trained athletes. Eur J Sport Sci. 2015;15(4):305-314. doi:10.1080/17461391.2014.949310
18. Tomczyk M, Jost Z, Chroboczek M, et al. Effects of 12 Wk of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Long-Distance Runners. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2023;55(2):216-224. doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000003038
19. Crestani DM, Bonin ÉFR, Barbieri RA, Zagatto AM, Higino WP, Milioni F. Chronic supplementation of omega-3 can improve body composition and maximal strength, but does not change the resistance to neuromuscular fatigue. Sport Sci Health. 2017;13(2):259-265. doi:10.1007/s11332-016-0322-9
20. Essman M, Christifano D, Sullivan DK, Chalise P, Carbuhn A. Assessing Omega-3 Intake in Sport: the Brief Food Frequency Questionnaire and the Omega-3 Index in Collegiate Women Soccer Players. J Athl Train. 2022;57(11-12):1079-1084. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-0549.21
21. Ritz PP, Rogers MB, Zabinsky JS, et al. Dietary and Biological Assessment of the Omega-3 Status of Collegiate Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Analysis. Sauers E, ed. PLOS ONE. 2020;15(4):e0228834. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0228834
22. Heileson JL, McGowen JM, Moris JM, et al. Body Composition, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, and Vitamin D are Associated with Army Combat Fitness Test Performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2022;19(1):349-365. doi:10.1080/15502783.2022.2094717
23. Philpott JD, Witard OC, Galloway SDR. Applications of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for sport performance. Res Sports Med. 2019;27(2):219-237. doi:10.1080/15438627.2018.1550401
24. McGlory C, Galloway SDR, Hamilton DL, et al. Temporal changes in human skeletal muscle and blood lipid composition with fish oil supplementation. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2014;90(6):199-206. doi:10.1016/j.plefa.2014.03.001
25. McDonald C, Bauer J, Capra S. Omega-3 fatty acids and changes in LBM: alone or in synergy for better muscle health? Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2013;91(6):459-468. doi:10.1139/cjpp-2012-0304
26. Lewis NA, Daniels D, Calder PC, Castell LM, Pedlar CR. Are There Benefits from the Use of Fish Oil Supplements in Athletes? A Systematic Review. Adv Nutr. 2020;11(5):1300-1314. doi:10.1093/advances/nmaa050
27. Couet C, Delarue J, Ritz P, Antoine JM, Lamisse F. Effect of dietary fish oil on body fat mass and basal fat oxidation in healthy adults. Int J Obes. 1997;21(8):637-643. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0800451
28. Noreen EE, Sass MJ, Crowe ML, Pabon VA, Brandauer J, Averill LK. Effects of supplemental fish oil on resting metabolic rate, body composition, and salivary cortisol in healthy adults. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2010;7(1):31. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-7-31
29. NCAA 2022-2023 Division I Manual. Published online August 2022.
30. Heileson JL, Funderburk LK. The effect of fish oil supplementation on the promotion and preservation of lean body mass, strength, and recovery from physiological stress in young, healthy adults: a systematic review. Nutr Rev. 2020;78(12):1001-1014. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuaa034
31. Heileson JL, Machek SB, Harris DR, et al. The effect of fish oil supplementation on resistance training-induced adaptations. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2023;20(1):2174704. doi:10.1080/15502783.2023.2174704
32. American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription. 11th Edition. Wolters Kluwer; 2022.
33. Carrion BM, Wells A, Mayhew JL, Koch AJ. Concordance Among Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Measures of Percent Body Fat in Athletic Young Adults. Int J Exerc Sci. 2019;12(4):324-331.
34. Miller RM, Chambers TL, Burns SP. Validating InBody 570 Multi-frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer versus DXA for Body Fat Percentage Analysis. J Exerc Physiol. 206AD;19(5):71-78.
35. Alkhedhairi SAa, Aba Alkhayl FF, Ismail AD, et al. The effect of krill oil supplementation on skeletal muscle function and size in older adults: A randomised controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2022;41(6):1228-1235. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2022.04.007
36. Harris WS. The Omega-3 Index: Clinical Utility for Therapeutic Intervention. Curr Cardiol Rep. 2010;12(6):503-508. doi:10.1007/s11886-010-0141-6
37. Von Schacky C. Omega-3 index in 2018/19. Proc Nutr Soc. 2020;79(4):381-387. doi:10.1017/S0029665120006989
38. Lembke P, Capodice J, Hebert K, Swenson T. Influence of omega-3 (n3) index on performance and wellbeing in young adults after heavy eccentric exercise. J Sports Sci Med. 2014;13(1):151-156.
39. Heileson J, Elliott A, Buzzard J, Cholewinski M, Gallucci A, Funderburk L. The Impact of Long-Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Body Composition, Strength, and Power in Collegiate Athletes. J Exerc Nutr. 2022;5(1). doi:10.53520/jen2022.103116
40. Ackland TR, Lohman TG, Sundgot-Borgen J, et al. Current Status of Body Composition Assessment in Sport: Review and Position Statement on Behalf of the Ad Hoc Research Working Group on Body Composition Health and Performance, Under the Auspices of the I.O.C. Medical Commission. Sports Med. 2012;42(3):227-249. doi:10.2165/11597140-000000000-00000
41. Peppa M, Stefanaki C, Papaefstathiou A, Boschiero D, Dimitriadis G, Chrousos G. Bioimpedance analysis vs. DEXA as a screening tool for osteosarcopenia in lean, overweight and obese Caucasian postmenopausal females. HORMONES. 2017;16(2). doi:10.14310/horm.2002.1732
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The Influence of Omega-3 Supplementation on Athletic Performance, Grip Strength, and Body Composition in NCAA Division I Collegiate Track & Field Athletes: Original Research. (2025). Journal of Exercise and Nutrition, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.53520/jen2025.103185
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Copyright, 2025 by the authors. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
The Influence of Omega-3 Supplementation on Athletic Performance, Grip Strength, and Body Composition in NCAA Division I Collegiate Track & Field Athletes: Original Research. (2025). Journal of Exercise and Nutrition, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.53520/jen2025.103185