Context Omega-3 fatty acids modulate inflammatory processes and are considered beneficial for sport populations, highlighting a need to assess omega-3 intake in a practical manner. Food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) are inexpensive, noninvasive tools aimed at evaluating nutrient intakes such as omega-3 fatty acids. In healthy adults, a tailored, brief FFQ for estimating omega-3 intake was associated with the erythrocyte omega-3 fatty acid level, a biomarker for omega-3 tissue status and indicative of intake. However, the association between a brief omega-3 FFQ and erythrocyte levels, particularly the Omega-3 Index (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA], docosahexaenoic acid [DHA], and EPA + DHA), has yet to be explored in a sport population. Objective To examine the association between omega-3 intake using a brief FFQ and the Omega-3 Index in collegiate women soccer players. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting University sport team. Patients or Other Participants Thirty-one National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I collegiate women soccer players. Main Outcome Measure(s) The brief omega-3 FFQ assessed dietary omega-3 intake: DHA and EPA. The OmegaQuant blood test measured erythrocyte omega-3 fatty acid (EPA, DHA) and Omega-3 Index (EPA + DHA) levels. Results Brief FFQ intakes of EPA, DHA, and EPA + DHA were positively correlated with the erythrocyte EPA (r = 0.48, P = .007), DHA (r = 0.73, P < .001), and Omega-3 Index (r = 0.73, P < .001). Conclusions In a sample of collegiate women soccer players, the brief omega-3 FFQ was correlated with erythrocyte omega-3 fatty acid levels and may offer health practitioners a practical tool for assessing omega-3 intake in this collegiate sport population. Key Points - Inadequate omega-3 dietary intake and suboptimal Omega-3 Index levels were observed in a sample of collegiate women soccer players. - The brief omega-3 food frequency questionnaire was associated with erythrocyte omega-3 biomarkers and strongly associated with the Omega-3 Index. - The instrument may be a practical tool for rapidly assessing omega-3 intake in a team sport setting.
© Copyright 2022 Journal of Athletic Training. National Athletic Trainers' Association. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.