Improved Oxygen Uptake Efficiency Parameters Are Not Correlated with VO(2peak) or Running Economy and Are Not Affected by Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Endurance Runners

Peak oxygen uptake (VO(2peak)) is one of the most reliable parameters of exercise capacity; however, maximum effort is required to achieve this. Therefore, alternative, and repeatable submaximal parameters, such as running economy (RE), are needed. Thus, we evaluated the suitability of oxygen uptake efficiency (OUE), oxygen uptake efficiency plateau (OUEP) and oxygen uptake efficiency at the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (OUE@VAT) as alternatives for VO(2peak) and RE. Moreover, we evaluated how these parameters are affected by endurance training and supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids. A total of 26 amateur male runners completed a 12-week endurance program combined with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation or medium-chain triglycerides as a placebo. Before and after the intervention, the participants were subjected to a treadmill test to determine VO(2peak), RE, OUE, OUEP and OUE@VAT. Blood was collected at the same timepoints to determine eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in erythrocytes. OUE correlated moderately or weakly with VO(2peak) (R(2) = 0.338, p = 0.002) and (R(2) = 0.226, p = 0.014) before and after the intervention, respectively. There was a weak or no correlation between OUEP, OUE@VAT, VO(2peak) and RE despite steeper OUE, increased OUEP and OUE@VAT values in all participants. OUE parameters cannot be treated as alternative parameters for VO(2peak) or RE and did not show changes following supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids in male amateur endurance runners.