Abstract
A global physical evaluation was performed in 21 males with spinal cord injury (SCI), at the beginning and at three and six months of omega-3 fatty acid (FA) supplementation. A significant increase in the proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexanoic acid in plasma was observed in response to the supplementation (p<0.05). After six months of FA supplementation, strength endurance time increased from 127.7±19.0 s to 215.2±45.6 s in the right arm, and from 139±27.6 s to 237.7±48.7 s, in the left arm. The time to perform 20 repetitions of 70% maximum workload showed a reduction of 41% between the first and the third test. The time taken to cover a 90 meter long track, with a 6% slope, was reduced from 66.9±8.0 s to 59.3±6.7 s, at the end of the study (p<0.05). In conclusion, omega-3 FA supplementation could contribute to improve the functional capabilities in SCI subjects.
Resumen
Se ha realizado una evaluación global a 21 sujetos con lesión medular al inicio, tras tres meses y a los seis meses de la ingesta de un suplemento de ácidos grasos n-3. Se observó un aumento estadísticamente significativo de la proporción de ácido eicosapentanóico y ácido docosahexaenóico en plasma como respuesta a la ingesta del suplemento (p<0,05). Tras seis meses del suplemento de ácidos grasos n-3, el tiempo de resistencia a la fuerza aumentó de manera significativa desde 127,7±19,0 s a 215,2±45,6 s en el brazo derecho, y desde 139±27,6 s hasta 237,7±48,7 s en el brazo izquierdo. El tiempo para realizar 20 repeticiones contra el 70% de la máxima carga realizada mostró una reducción del 41% entre el primer (al inicio del estudio) y el tercer test (tras seis meses de suplemetno). El tiempo para recorrer una distancia de 90 metros, con un 6% de pendiente, se redujo de 66,9±8,0 s a 59,3±6,7 s al final del estudio (p<0,05). En conclusión, la suplementación con ácidos grasos n-3 puede contribuir a mejorar la capacidad funcional en lesionados medulares.
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Javiere, C., Vidal, J., Segura, R. et al. The effect of supplementation wit n-3 fatty acids on the physical performance in subjects with spinal cord injury. J. Physiol. Biochem. 62, 271–279 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03165756
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03165756