Assessing the Omega-3 Index of a professional cycling team and the influence of ad libitum provision of fish oil during the competitive season

An optimal omega-3 status, which is modified by increased consumption of long chain omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), supports cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory physiology.This study described the omega-3 status of riders in a professional cycling team and following ad libitum provision of a fish oil supplement over the course of a competitive season.The omega-3 status of professional riders (n = 23) was assessed via measurement of the Omega-3 Index (O3I), the omega-6/omega-3 (n-6/n-3), and Arachidonic Acid/EPA ratio (AA/EPA) using a finger prick blood sample at the start of the season.A quasi-experimental design provided riders ad libitum access to a fish oil supplement (NAMEDSport, Italy) with advice to consume two capsules per day (1,118 mg EPA + 458 mg DHA).Follow up blood samples were collected (n = 13) at the end of the season (16 -18 weeks) and expressed according to self-reported achievement of the advised dose.At pre-season, five of the riders returned an O3I > 8% (mean = 7.07%, 95% CI [6.51, 7.63]).The mean n-6/n-3 ratio was greater than 5 (mean = 5.38, 95% CI [4.81, 5.96]), and the AA/EPA was less than 11 (mean = 8.41, 95% CI [6.35, 10.47]).By the end of the season, seven riders self-reported meeting the daily dose recommendations and increased their O3I (pre-season mean = 6.81%,SD = 1.97; postseason mean = 9.06%, SD = 1.06, p < 0.01, Bonferroni adjusted), compared to six riders who reported sub-optimal (inconsistent) intake and the O3I remained unchanged (preseason mean = 7.11%, SD = 0.75; post-season mean = 7.09%, SD = 0.47, p = 0.97, Bonferroni adjusted).Optimising the omega-3 status of elite cyclists is possible when ad libitum provision of supplemental fish oil enables daily achievement of EPA + DHA intake.Riders consistently consuming two capsules per day elevated and/or maintained optimal omega-3 status alongside the arduous nature of training and competition.