Investigating the association between the rs12722 polymorphism in the COL5A1 gene and omega-3 supplementation with flexibility, strength, and power in young active men

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the effect of the COL5A1 rs12722 polymorphism on flexibility, strength, and power associated with a course of omega-3 supplementation.
Materials and Methods: 85 young active male volunteers were randomly assigned to supplement (n=43) and placebo (n=42) groups in a double-blind, randomized design. Participants consumed 3 gelatin-coated capsules daily (1 capsule in the morning, 1 capsule at lunch, and 1 capsule at night) containing 3 g of n-3 PUFA (2145 mg EPA and 858 mg DHA) or placebo during 8 weeks of their resistance training routine, three sessions per week. DNA extracted from blood samples was tested for the rs12722 polymorphism. Flexibility, strength, and power of the lower body muscles were assessed 48 hours before and after eight weeks.
Results: In the pre-test condition, the rs12722 polymorphism was significantly associated with flexibility (F=7.56, p=.02, η2=.39) and individuals with the CC allele had greater flexibility than the TT and CT alleles, but this association was not observed with strength (F=2.13, p=.22, η2=.09) and power (F=0.85, p=.36, η2=.11). Also, a period of omega-3 supplementation did not produce significant changes in flexibility, strength, and power of different alleles of the rs12722 polymorphism (p>0.5).
Conclusion: In the rs12722 polymorphism, individuals with the CC allele have greater flexibility than the TT and CT alleles, but this polymorphism and omega-3 are not a factor affecting flexibility, strength, and power.