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Virginia Tech

The Effects of Dha Supplementation on Markers of Inflammation and Muscle Damage Following an Acute Eccentric Exercise Bout

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on muscle damage and inflammation following an acute eccentric exercise bout. Methods: A double-blind placebo-controlled, study was performed using 41 healthy, untrained males aged 18-28 y who consumed either 2 g/d DHA or placebo (PL, corn oil) for 32 days. Supplements were consumed for 28 days prior to exercise. Participants completed an eccentric exercise procedure of the elbow flexors at 140% of 1-RM (6 sets x 10 repetitions). The time under tension (TUT) for each set of eccentric contractions was recorded manually from the investigators voice commands. Fasted blood samples for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL1-ra), C-reactive protein and creatine kinase (CK) were assessed on days 1, 2 and 4. Fasted serum DHA was measured at baseline (day -28) and on day 1. Peak isometric strength of the elbow flexors, delayed-onset muscle soreness, and range of motion were measured on day 1 prior to exercise and days 2, 3, and 4 following exercise. Results: DHA significantly reduced natural log of CK (p<0.05) response over 4 d. Additionally, IL-6 area under the curve (AUC) was reduced for DHA compared to PL (3.6 ± 2.5 pg/mL vs. 5.3 ± 2.7 pg/mL) (p<0.05). TUT/set was higher in the DHA group compared to placebo (p<0.05). There were no other significant differences between treatments. Conclusion: DHA supplementation produced lower indicators of muscle damage (CK) and inflammation (IL-6 AUC). DHA supplementation resulted in greater TUT/set.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise
Department dc:contributor.department
Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2012

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • DiLorenzo, Frank Michael
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Rankin, Janet L. Walberg
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Grange, Robert W.
  • Newton, William E.

Subjects

dc:subject × 4

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-07192012-115704
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/43760

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

DiLorenzo, Frank Michael. The Effects of Dha Supplementation on Markers of Inflammation and Muscle Damage Following an Acute Eccentric Exercise Bout. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/43760