Research Plan

Eleven trained cyclists have completed 4 cycling performance trials, before and after 4 weeks of fish oil supplementation and before and after 4 weeks of placebo with a 4 week washout between supplementation periods. During the performance trials blood, expired air and heart rate were collected. The blood samples have been used to investigate the production of inflammation resulting from the cycling performance test. Inflammation has been assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for IL-6, which is an inflammatory cytokine. Work done from the cycling performance will be analysed to investigate whether there is a relationship with power and inflammation and whether this is modulated by fish oil supplementation.

Specific Aims

1. Does 4 weeks of Fish Oil supplementation attenuate the inflammatory response following high intensity cycling.
2. Is a modulation of the inflammatory response connected to cycling performance.

Hypotheses

1. Four weeks of n3-PUFA supplementation will reduce the inflammatory response
2. A reduction in inflammation will improve cycling performance

Anticipated Outcomes

A high level of cycling performance, indicated by a high average power, will be associated with high levels of systemic inflammation. n3-PUFA supplementation will decrease the level of inflammation and consequently cycling performance will be improved.

Inclusion Criteria:

• recreationally trained male cyclists

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of coagulation/bleeding disorder
• History of metabolic disease
• Serious allergy
• History of heart disease
• Regular use of anti-inflammatory drugs
• Vitamin or fish oil supplementation over the past 6 months
• Known to have blood-borne virus
• Females