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Neuromuscular adaptations to sprint interval training and the effect of mammalian omega-3 fatty acid supplementation

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Abstract

Purpose

Sprint interval training (SIT) stimulates rapid metabolic adaptations within skeletal muscle but the nature of neuromuscular adaptions is unknown. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (N-3 PUFA) are suggested to enhance neuromuscular adaptations to exercise.

Methods

We measured the neuromuscular adaptations to SIT (Study-1) and conducted a placebo-controlled randomized double blinded study to determine the effect of N-3 PUFA supplementation on neuromuscular adaptations to SIT (Study-2). In Study-1, seven active men (24.4 ± 2.6 years, VO2 peak 43.8 ± 8.7 ml kg min−1) completed 2-weeks of SIT with pre- and post-training 10 km cycling time trials (TT). In Study-2, 30 active men (24.5 ± 4.2 years, VO2 peak 41.0 ± 5.1 ml kg min−1) were randomly assigned to receive N-3 PUFA (2330 mg day−1) (n = 14) or olive oil (n = 16) during 2-weeks of SIT with pre- and post-training TTs. Four week post-training, a SIT session and TT were also performed. Change in neuromuscular function was assessed from resting twitches, quadriceps maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force, and potentiated twitch force (Q tw).

Results

Study-1 showed that SIT did not elicit significant neuromuscular adaptations. Study-2 showed that N-3 PUFA supplementation had no significant effect on neuromuscular adaptations. Training caused lower MVC force [mean ± SD; N-3 PUFA −9 ± 11%, placebo −9 ± 13% (p < 0.05 time)] and Q tw peripheral fatigue [N-3 PUFA −10 ± 19%, placebo −14 ± 13% (p < 0.05 time)]. TT time was lower after training in all groups [Study-1 −10%, Study-2 N-3 PUFA −8%, placebo −12% (p < 0.05 time)].

Conclusion

Two weeks of SIT improved TT performance in the absence of measurable neuromuscular adaptations. N-3 PUFA supplementation had no significant effect on SIT training adaptations.

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Abbreviations

DHA:

Docosahexaenoic acid

DPA:

Docosapentaenoic acid

EMD:

Electromechanical delay

EMG:

Electromyography

EPA:

Eicosapentaenoic acid

HR:

Heart rate

LFF:

Low-force frequency fatigue

M AMP :

M-wave amplitude

N-3:

Omega-3

MCT:

Monocarboxylate transporter

MVC:

Maximal voluntary contraction

PUFA:

Polyunsaturated fatty acid

Q tw :

Potentiated twitch force

RFD:

Rate of force development

SIT:

Sprint interval training

tAUC:

Twitch area under the curve

tHRT:

Time to half relaxation

tPF:

Twitch peak force

tRFD:

Twitch rate of force development

tTP:

Twitch time to peak force

TT:

Time trial

VA:

Voluntary activation

VL:

Vastus lateralis

VM:

Vastus medialis

VO2 :

Volume of oxygen consumed

W max :

Watt max

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Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the help of Cathie Kessler for her technical assistance building the isometric dynamometer and MatLab program for analysis. Thank you to Dr. Bazinet’s laboratory for performing plasma fatty acid analysis and to Ms. Joy Hur assisting with data management. The omega-3 and placebo supplements for this study were donated by Auum Inc.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 150 College St, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E2, Canada

    Evan J. H. Lewis, Adam H. Metherel & Thomas M. S. Wolever

  2. Center for Sports Medicine, Swiss Olympic Medical Center, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

    Frédéric Stucky

  3. Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, 100 Devonshire Place, Toronto, ON, M5S 2C9, Canada

    Peter W. Radonic & Greg D. Wells

  4. Physiology and Experimental Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada

    Greg D. Wells

Authors
  1. Evan J. H. Lewis
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  2. Frédéric Stucky
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  3. Peter W. Radonic
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  4. Adam H. Metherel
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  5. Thomas M. S. Wolever
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  6. Greg D. Wells
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Evan J. H. Lewis.

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Funding

EJHL was supported by an Ontario Graduate Scholarship, Banting and Best Diabetes Centre studentship and a Peterborough K. M. Hunter scholarship. Equipment for this study was purchased from an Ontario Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport, Research Program in Applied Sport Sciences operating grant to EJHL.

Conflict of interest

EJHL has received speaking fees and conference travel support from Auum Inc. TMSW is a part owner, President, and Medical Director of Glycemic Index Laboratories, Toronto, Canada and has authored several popular diet books on the glycemic index for which he has received royalties from Phillipa Sandall Publishing Services and CABI Publishers. He has received consultant fees, honoraria, travel funding, or served on the scientific advisory board for McCain Foods, Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore, Glycemic Index Symbol program, CreaNutrition AG, and the National Sports and Conditioning Association. His wife is an employee and part owner of Glycemic Index Laboratories.

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Communicated by Nicolas Place.

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Lewis, E.J.H., Stucky, F., Radonic, P.W. et al. Neuromuscular adaptations to sprint interval training and the effect of mammalian omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. Eur J Appl Physiol 117, 469–482 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3539-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3539-7

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