The Cycling Fish

Fish oil capsules were given to well-trained cyclists, and after 8 weeks, pulse rate and whole body oxygen consumption were significantly reduced compared to placebo. Previously a study conducted in the USA when a lower dose of fish oil (0.08g/d) was used over a longer period (four months), similarly found that the fish oil was able to reduce pulse rate and enhance recovery post-exercise.

Australian researchers suggest that fish oil is readily incorporated into the heart and skeletal muscles, where it works to reduce both whole-body and myocardial oxygen demand during exercise. For athletes this means that more efficient oxygen utilization could enhance aerobic exercise capacity and reduce rate of lactic acidosis.