Examining the Influence of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Performance, Recovery, and Injury Management for Health Optimization: A Systematic Review Focused on Military Service Members.
Melissa Rittenhouse, Saachi Khurana, Stephen Scholl, Christopher Emerson
{"title":"Examining the Influence of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Performance, Recovery, and Injury Management for Health Optimization: A Systematic Review Focused on Military Service Members.","authors":"Melissa Rittenhouse, Saachi Khurana, Stephen Scholl, Christopher Emerson","doi":"10.3390/nu17020307","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Omega-3 fatty acids (<i>n</i>-3), recognized for their anti-inflammatory and brain health benefits, are being studied to enhance cognitive function, aid physical recovery, and reduce injury rates among military service members (SMs). Given the unique demands faced by this tactical population, this systematic review aims to evaluate the evidence of <i>n</i>-3 to support physical and mental resilience and overall performance.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and includes articles that assessed <i>n</i>-3 status or implemented <i>n</i>-3 interventions in relation to physical and cognitive performance, recovery, and injury outcomes (2006 to 2024). Of the 1606 articles yielded in screening through Covidence, 755 were irrelevant, leaving 226 studies for full-text eligibility. Of those 226 studies, 165 studies were excluded, and 61 studies were included in this review.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results highlighted evidence-based findings in five key areas where omega-3 fatty acids are being evaluated to benefit military service members. These key areas include cardiopulmonary function, exercise recovery, cognitive function, injury recovery, and strength and power. While existing research suggests promising benefits, the most significant evidence was seen with cardiopulmonary function, exercise recovery, and cognitive function.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Current research is promising and shows potential benefits, but the results are inconclusive and inconsistent. Future research is needed to determine optimal <i>n</i>-3 status, dose, and possibly type of <i>n</i>-3 across the various performance outcomes. Understanding these gaps in research will be essential to creating evidence-based <i>n</i>-3 guidelines for optimal performance of SMs.</p>","PeriodicalId":19486,"journal":{"name":"Nutrients","volume":"17 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11768049/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Nutrients","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17020307","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"NUTRITION & DIETETICS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background/objectives: Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3), recognized for their anti-inflammatory and brain health benefits, are being studied to enhance cognitive function, aid physical recovery, and reduce injury rates among military service members (SMs). Given the unique demands faced by this tactical population, this systematic review aims to evaluate the evidence of n-3 to support physical and mental resilience and overall performance.
Methods: This review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and includes articles that assessed n-3 status or implemented n-3 interventions in relation to physical and cognitive performance, recovery, and injury outcomes (2006 to 2024). Of the 1606 articles yielded in screening through Covidence, 755 were irrelevant, leaving 226 studies for full-text eligibility. Of those 226 studies, 165 studies were excluded, and 61 studies were included in this review.
Results: The results highlighted evidence-based findings in five key areas where omega-3 fatty acids are being evaluated to benefit military service members. These key areas include cardiopulmonary function, exercise recovery, cognitive function, injury recovery, and strength and power. While existing research suggests promising benefits, the most significant evidence was seen with cardiopulmonary function, exercise recovery, and cognitive function.
Conclusions: Current research is promising and shows potential benefits, but the results are inconclusive and inconsistent. Future research is needed to determine optimal n-3 status, dose, and possibly type of n-3 across the various performance outcomes. Understanding these gaps in research will be essential to creating evidence-based n-3 guidelines for optimal performance of SMs.
期刊介绍：
Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643) is an international, peer-reviewed open access advanced forum for studies related to Human Nutrition. It publishes reviews, regular research papers and short communications. Our aim is to encourage scientists to publish their experimental and theoretical results in as much detail as possible. There is no restriction on the length of the papers. The full experimental details must be provided so that the results can be reproduced.
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
分享
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
扫码关注我们
