First large-scale study of Australian professional athletes reveals that closing the nutritional gap could support heart health during competition and beyond
As the Commonwealth Games approach, athletes chasing every extra edge on the track, court or in the pool might not find it at training, but on their dinner plates.
In a landmark study in Sports Medicine - Open, University of Wollongong (UOW) researchers analysed the diets and omega-3 blood levels of professional athletes, finding that almost three quarters could benefit from increasing their intake of these healthy fats.
Omega-3 fatty acids, most notably EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid), are found in oily fish, seafood, fish oil and algal oil supplements. Research suggests they can help reduce exercise-related muscle soreness and support heart health.
Lead author Dr Michael Macartney, from UOW's School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, said it was the first large-scale, multi-sport examination of athletes' Omega-3 Index, a marker of long-term omega-3 status.
"We assessed the Omega-3 Index of close to 600 athletes, across 17 sports, including rugby league, athletics, cricket, soccer, alpine skiing, hockey, swimming, cycling, netball and basketball," he said.
"We also looked at what athletes reported eating and whether they used fish oil supplements. Most reported lower DHA and EPA intake than expected. This highlights a real opportunity to strengthen omega-3 nutrition to better support athletes during training and competition, while building habits that will benefit cardiovascular health beyond their sporting careers."
The Australian Institute of Sport Supplement Framework lists omega-3 DHA and EPA as supporting the health of athletes.
The research team, which included Dr Ryan Anthony, Dr Joel Craddock, Professor Marijka Batterham, and Associate Professor Gregory Peoples, found fewer than one in 10 athletes achieved an Omega-3 Index greater than 8 per cent, the level recommended by Sports Dietitians Australia for the general population to achieve the lowest cardiovascular disease risk.
Almost half of athletes consumed less than 250 mg of DHA and EPA each day, while nearly three quarters consumed less than 500 mg each day. Male athletes were found to have higher Omega-3 Index scores than females, although they reported similar intakes of DHA and EPA.
The Heart Foundation recommends a daily intake of 250 to 500 mg/day of DHA and EPA for most adults, which can be achieved through two to three serves of oily fish, such as salmon, mackeral, and sardines.
"Omega-3 DHA and EPA offer a practical opportunity to support resilience, recovery and long-term health in both elite and recreational sport," Dr Macartney said.
"The body of research suggests DHA may be pivotal in reducing post-exercise inflammation and muscle damage and supporting faster recovery, helping athletes arrive at competition in the best possible condition."
About the research
'The Omega-3 Index and self-reported dietary intake of DHA and EPA in highly trained, elite and world class (Tier 3-5) male and female athletes: An Australian based cross-sectional study', by Michael J Macartney, Ryan Anthony, Joel Craddock, Marijka Batterham, Gregory E Peoples, was published in Sports Medicine – Open: https://rdcu.be/fueo0
The study was funded by a University of Wollongong, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health Start-up Scheme for Research awarded to author Michael J. Macartney.
