Effect of supplementation of polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 in wheelchair basketball athletes

Abstract

The lesion of the spine, resulting from trauma, disrupts the nerve connections in the spinal cord, making it an impending neurologic injury, which greatly alters the life of the individual affected. They are associated with this condition changes in body composition and morphology of skeletal muscle and, consequently, disturbances in lipid profile and immune system. The practice of physical activity may minimize the metabolic and immunologic changes induced by spinal cord injury, so it is encouraged for the rehabilitation of this population. However, intense training can cause muscle damage promoting exaggerated inflammatory and damaging further decreasing the immune function of wheelchair physically active. Evidence suggests that polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 (n-3 PUFA) have beneficial effects in diseases involved preferably with a high inflammatory state, such as patients with spinal cord injury. The n-3 PUFA have neuroprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of chronic supplementation of fish oil on plasma concentration of inflammatory mediators and markers of muscle damage in athletes in basketball in a wheelchair before and after simulation of a game. (AU)