Supplement combination improved some strength tests in elite swimmers
The trial favored combined probiotics and omega-3 on explosive shoulder measures, while handgrip and medicine-ball throw changes did not clearly differ.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The combination supplement produced greater improvements in explosive upper-body strength tests than the comparison groups during race-pace training. Handgrip and medicine-ball throw changes were small and did not differ significantly between groups. These results concern specific strength tests in elite male swimmers; they do not establish faster swimming or a gut-microbe mechanism.
The abstract gives no participant count, supplement doses or numerical effect estimates. Microbiome and metabolite testing were not performed, leaving the proposed gut mechanism untested.
What researchers found
High-velocity shoulder torque and power
Combined supplement versus probiotic alone, omega-3 alone or placebo over 8 weeks; time-by-group differences were statistically significant.
What improved
The primary tests measured shoulder force and power during fast movements, how quickly force developed, and time to peak torque. The combined supplement group improved more across these measures, according to the abstract.
What remains uncertain
The lack of a significant difference on handgrip and throwing tests does not prove equivalence. The authors also call for assessments in the water, which would help connect laboratory strength changes with swimming performance.
The original publication
Synbiotic Supplementation with Probiotics and Omega-3 Fatty Acids Enhances Upper-Body Muscle Strength in Elite Swimmers: Evidence for Gut-Muscle Axis Modulation During Race-Pace Training.
Imanian B, Hemmatinafar M, Maymandinejad I et al.
Nutrients · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41010484
- Record checked
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