The effect of fish oil supplementation on resistance training-induced adaptations

Resistance exercise training (RET) is a common and well-established method to induce hypertrophy and improvement in strength. Interestingly, fish oil supplementation (FOS) may augment RET-induced adaptations. However, few studies have been conducted on young, healthy adults. A randomized, placebo-controlled design was used to determine the effect of FOS, a concentrated source of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), compared to placebo (PL) on RET-induced adaptations following a 10-week RET program (3 days·week ). Body composition was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (LBM, fat mass [FM], percent body fat [%BF]) and strength was measured by 1-repetition maximum barbell back squat (1RM ) and bench press (1RM ) at PRE (week 0) and POST (10 weeks). Supplement compliance was assessed via self-report and bottle collection every two weeks and via fatty acid dried blood spot collection at PRE and POST. An α-level of 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance and Cohen's was used to quantify effect sizes (ES). Twenty-one of 28 male and female participants (FOS, = 10 [4 withdrawals]; PL, = 11 [3 withdrawals]) completed the 10-week progressive RET program and PRE/POST measurements. After 10-weeks, blood EPA+DHA substantially increased in the FOS group (+109.7%,