This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to investigate the changes in functional fitness after an exercise program in combination with Calanus oil supplementation.

To do so, 55 healthy sedentary women aged 65-80 years were randomized, for 16 weeks, into two groups: exercise training plus Calanus oil supplementation (equivalent to 125 mg/d of EPA and 105 mg/d of DHA), or exercise plus placebo (sunflower oil) supplementation. Outcome measures comprised evaluation of senior fitness test, exercise stress test on bicycle ergometer, hand-grip, and body composition.

Results showed that functional strength of lower body (chair stand), as well as of upper body (Arm Curl) improved in both groups significantly (p < 0.05) after the program. No effect on lower back and hamstring flexibility (sit and reach) were observed in either group. As for exercise capacity (peak oxygen consumption and peak workload), both groups improved significantly (p < 0.05). When comparing pre-post changes between the Calanus and placebo groups (i.e., the effect of supplementation), the only statistically significant difference was in the chair stand (p = 0.02).

In conclusion, supplementation with Calanus may have a synergic effect with exercise on functional strength of the lower body in the elderly.

Daďová K, Petr M, Šteffl M, et al. Effect of Calanus Oil Supplementation and 16 Week Exercise Program on Selected Fitness Parameters in Older Women. Nutrients. 2020;12(2):481.

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