Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Their Impact on Exercise-Induced Muscle Soreness and Inflammatory Response – A Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction: Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) commonly occurs after intense or unfamiliar exercise and is associated with muscle microdamage and inflammatory responses. DOMS may impair muscle function, physical performance, and adherence to rehabilitation or training programs. Due to their anti-inflammatory properties, particularly those of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), omega-3 fatty acids have been investigated as a potential intervention for reducing exercise-induced muscle soreness.
Purpose: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate whether omega-3 fatty acid supplementation reduces the severity and duration of DOMS following exercise.
Materials and methods: A systematic search of PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted to identify peer-reviewed human studies involving exercise-induced DOMS, controlled omega-3 supplementation, and outcomes including perceived muscle soreness and inflammatory biomarkers.
Results: The findings were heterogeneous, although several studies reported modest benefits of omega-3 supplementation. Reduced muscle soreness and smaller increases in inflammatory markers, particularly creatine kinase and white blood cell count, were more frequently observed after longer supplementation periods. Results for CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 were inconsistent, while short-term supplementation showed little or no significant effect on DOMS.
Conclusions: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may help reduce post-exercise muscle soreness and support recovery in some populations; however, variations in study design and supplementation protocols limit definitive conclusions. Further research is needed to determine optimal supplementation strategies and clarify the relationship between omega-3 intake, inflammation, and muscle recovery.