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Enrolling by invitationNCT07763574Updated Aug 13, 2026

Effects of Strength Training Combined With Sustainable Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in Adults Controlled Trial

An interventional study of Effects of Strength Training Combined With Omega-3s derived from algae on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in adults and Effects of Strength Training Combined With Omega-3s derived from fish on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in adults in Muscle Strength and Cognitive Function Assessment, sponsored by Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport. Enrolling by invitation at 1 site in Poland. Open to participants aged 25 Years to 35 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-13.

Sponsored by Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
120
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
25 Years to 35 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of 12-week supplementation with algae-derived DHA combined with strength training on muscle strength, neuromuscular parameters, post-exercise inflammation and cognitive functions in healthy adults compared to fish-derived EPA and DHA combined with strength training, strength training alone and control group.

The research methods and measurement tools include:

  • Body composition assessed prior to the training intervention and after 12 weeks of training: body mass index (BMI) and body composition - fat mass [kg], body fat percentage [%] and skeletal muscle mass [kg] - will be determined using bioimpedance methods (In Body 720, Biospace, Seoul, Korea) following an overnight fast.
  • Assessment of physical activity levels using the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
  • Assessment of mood (UMACL Adjective Mood Scale) and depression (DASS-21, Beck Depression Scale).
  • The SarQoL (Sarcopenia and Quality of Life) questionnaire, used to specifically assess quality of life in people with reduced muscle mass and function.
  • Assessment of participants' diet: each participant will be required to record their diet in 3-day food diaries (to be checked on the first day of testing).
  • Blood sampling: blood will be collected from each participant at two time points before and after the intervention (on an empty stomach, and 40 minutes after the training session). The following will be collected: 1 × 6 ml blood count tube and 3 tubes with a clotting activator, with a total volume of 20 ml. Blood will be collected before the start of the training intervention and after 12 weeks of training. The tubes will be centrifuged at 4 °C (4000 × g for 10 minutes). The serum, plasma and erythrocyte fractions will then be frozen at -80 °C until analysis.
  • Peak force, relative peak force and force at 150, 200 and 250 milliseconds during isometric mid-thigh pull-ups using a Kistler platform (Kistler dynamometer platform, model 9286BA, with MARS software). The maximum load (1RM) will also be measured for each participant. Upper limb grip strength will be measured using a SAEHAN electronic dynamometer.
  • In addition, muscle electrical activity using a Noraxon Telemyo surface electromyograph will be assessed.
  • Cognitive function will be assessed using the following tests: the Stroop Test, the Corsi Block-Tapping Task and the Pattern Separation Task.

All analysis (beside IPAQ) will be performed before and after 12 weeks of intervention.

  • During the study, all participants will take part in a strength training session (around 40 mins duration) led by an experienced trainer to stimulate the muscles to release myokines.
  • Blood tests will include: BDNF, IGF-1, IL-6, hs-CRP, TNF-alpha, and IL-1B as well as concentrations of metabolites of the kynurenine pathway.
02

Conditions studied

  • Muscle Strength
  • Cognitive Function Assessment

Keywords

  • algae-derived DHA
  • omega-3 fatty acids
  • muscle strength
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
25 Years to 35 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria for the training group:

  • 1-2 years of strength training experience,
  • without chronic or autoimmune diseases,
  • between the ages of 25 and 35,
  • not obese,
  • not taking omega-3 fatty acids,
  • not taking protein, BCAAs, creatine, anabolic steroids, or other supplements
  • for women: not pregnant or breastfeeding, and at least 1 year after childbirth (to allow for hormonal balance to stabilize).

For the control group (non-exercisers):

- Requirements as above, except for exercise: we recruit individuals who exercise less than 1 hour per week

04

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Basic science
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double (Participant, Investigator)
Enrollment
120 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    algae-derived DHA + strength training

    3g of a algae-derived DHA + strength training 3 times a week through 12 weeks

    Dietary Supplement: Effects of Strength Training Combined With Omega-3s derived from algae on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in adults

  • Experimental
    fish-derived omega-3 + strength training

    3g of a fish-derived omega-3 (EPA+DHA) + strength training 3 times a week through 12 weeks

    Dietary Supplement: Effects of Strength Training Combined With Omega-3s derived from fish on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in adults

  • Placebo comparator
    placebo + strength training

    3g of a placebo + strength training 3 times a week through 12 weeks

    Dietary Supplement: Effects of Strength Training Combined With Placebo on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in adults

  • Active comparator
    algae-derived DHA without strength training

    3g of a algae-derived DHA through 12 weeks

    Dietary Supplement: Effects of Omega-3s derived from algae on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in adults

  • Active comparator
    fish-derived omega-3 without strength training

    3g of a fish-derived omega-3 (EPA+DHA) through 12 weeks

    Dietary Supplement: Effects of Omega-3s derived from fish on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in adults

  • Placebo comparator
    placebo without strength training

    3g of a placebo through 12 weeks

    Dietary Supplement: Effects of Placebo on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in adults

Interventions

  • Dietary supplementEffects of Strength Training Combined With Omega-3s derived from algae on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in adults

    Healthy men and women with few years of training experience will participate in a 12-week strength training program combined with 3g/per day DHA from algae supplementation. The training will be 3 times a week, with 1-hour strength-training exercises for the upper and lower body. At the beginning and end of the intervention, muscle strength will be assessed along with EMG, cognitive function will be evaluated, and blood samples will be collected to measure specific proteins.

  • Dietary supplementEffects of Strength Training Combined With Omega-3s derived from fish on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in adults

    Healthy men and women with few years of training experience will participate in a 12-week strength training program combined with EPA and DHA from fish supplementation (3g per day). The training will be 3 times a week, with 1-hour strength-training exercises for the upper and lower body. At the beginning and end of the intervention, muscle strength will be assessed along with EMG, cognitive function will be evaluated, and blood samples will be collected to measure specific proteins.

  • Dietary supplementEffects of Strength Training Combined With Placebo on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in adults

    Healthy men and women with few years of training experience will participate in a 12-week strength training program combined with placebo supplementation. The training will be 3 times a week, with 1-hour strength-training exercises for the upper and lower body. At the beginning and end of the intervention, muscle strength will be assessed along with EMG, cognitive function will be evaluated, and blood samples will be collected to measure specific proteins.

  • Dietary supplementEffects of Omega-3s derived from algae on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in adults

    Healthy, untrained men and women will participate in a 12-week DHA from algae supplementation (3g per day). At the beginning and end of the intervention, muscle strength will be assessed along with EMG, cognitive function will be evaluated, and blood samples will be collected to measure specific proteins.

  • Dietary supplementEffects of Omega-3s derived from fish on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in adults

    Healthy, untrained men and women will participate in a 12-week EPA and DHA from fish supplementation (3g per day). At the beginning and end of the intervention, muscle strength will be assessed along with EMG, cognitive function will be evaluated, and blood samples will be collected to measure specific proteins.

  • Dietary supplementEffects of Placebo on Muscle Strength and Cognitive Functions in adults

    Healthy, untrained men and women will participate in a 12-week placebo supplementation. At the beginning and end of the intervention, muscle strength will be assessed along with EMG, cognitive function will be evaluated, and blood samples will be collected to measure specific proteins.

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Peak force (N), relative peak force (N/kg bw) and force at 150, 200, and 250 milliseconds (N) during Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull (IMTP) and Back Squat

    Time frame: 12 weeks intervention

06

Study locations

1 site
  • University of Physical Education and Sport
    Gdansk, Poland
07

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07763574
Lead sponsor
Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Aug 13, 2026
Start date
Aug 23, 2026 (estimated)
Primary completion
Jan 2029 (estimated)
Completion
Jan 2030 (estimated)
Last update
Aug 13, 2026

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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