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JOURNAL
OF
SPORTS SCIENCE &
MEDICINE
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Research
article
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DHA- RICH FISH OIL IMPROVES COMPLEX REACTION TIME IN FEMALE ELITE SOCCER PLAYERS |
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José F. Guzmán1  ,
Hector Esteve1, Carlos Pablos1, Ana Pablos2,
Cristina Blasco1 and José A. Villegas3 |
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1Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain, 2Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, Spain, 3Catholic University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain |
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© Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2011) 10, 301 - 305 |
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| ABSTRACT | |||
| Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3) has shown to improve neuromotor function.
This study examined the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on complex
reaction time, precision and efficiency, in female elite soccer players.
24 players from two Spanish female soccer Super League teams were randomly
selected and assigned to two experimental groups, then administered, in
a double-blind manner, 3.5 g·day-1 of either DHA-rich fish oil (FO =12)
or olive oil (OO = 12) over 4 weeks of training. Two measurements (pre-
and post-treatment) of complex reaction time and precision were taken. Participants
had to press different buttons and pedals with left and right hands and
feet, or stop responding, according to visual and auditory stimuli. Multivariate
analysis of variance displayed an interaction between supplement administration
(pre/post) and experimental group (FO/OO) on complex reaction time (FO pre
= 0.713 ± 0.142 ms, FO post = 0.623 ± 0.109 ms, OO pre = 0.682 ± 1.132 ms,
OO post = 0.715 ± 0.159 ms; p = 0.004) and efficiency (FO pre = 40.88 ±
17.41, FO post = 57.12 ± 11.05, OO pre = 49.52 ± 14.63, OO post = 49. 50
± 11.01; p = 0.003). It was concluded that after 4 weeks of supplementation
with FO, there was a significant improvement in the neuromotor function
of female elite soccer players. Key words: Fatty acids, omega 3, efficiency, decision-making. |
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