This webinar aims to critically evaluate the scientific literature that examines the role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFA) in improving athlete performance. Specifically, the contexts of promoting muscle adaptation, energy metabolism, muscle recovery and injury prevention (e.g. muscle loss during immobilisation, or concussion) will be discussed. In brief, this webinar argues that n-3PUFA ingestion may have benefits in promoting recovery from muscle damaging exercise and improving endurance capacity by reducing the oxygen cost of exercise. Although there is insufficient evidence to support the claim that n-3PUFA ingestion facilitates muscle growth during resistance training or preserves muscle mass during weight loss, there is preliminary evidence to support a role for n-3PUFA in mitigating muscle loss during periods of injury-simulated immobilisation. Moving forward, there remains ample scope to investigate context-specific applications of n-3PUFA intake for sport performance. Such work will have applications to athletes competing in strength/power-, endurance- and team-, based sports.
What will I learn?
- Examine the potential role of omega-3’s to improve athletic performance
- Understand the potential benefits but need for advanced research
- Gain knowledge on the potential sport specific application of omega-3
Curriculum
- 1 Section
- 2 Lessons
- Lifetime
- Omega-3’s: A place in performance sport?2
Instructor
Dr Oliver Witard is a Senior Lecturer in Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism at King’s College London and deputy programme director for the UG programme in Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences. Oliver’s research focus is protein nutrition for maximising muscle adaptation to exercise training. His publications focus on establishing the optimal dose, source and timing of dietary protein for muscle recovery and performance in athletes. Other nutrients of interest to Oliver in the context of muscle recovery include omega 3 fatty acids. Recently, Oliver has delivered invited talks on protein/omega-3 nutrition at international symposiums, including the inaugural FC Barcelona Sports Nutrition in Football conference, the International Sport and Exercise Nutrition Conference, ACSM, and the Royal Society of Medicine/Nutrition Society 2018 winter meeting in London. Oliver also provides nutrition consultancy for Scottish Ballet and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
