The Effect of Wild and Farmed Trout Consumption on Sport Performance, Lipid Profiles and 25-hydroxyvitamin D Levels in Trained Female Bodybuilders

Background: Fish is a valuable source of food for athletes. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of consuming farmed and wild trout on sport performance, lipid profile levels, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in trained female bodybuilders. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 active female bodybuilders aged 20 to 30 years were randomly assigned to three equal groups: Farmed trout consumers, wild trout consumers, and a control group. During the intervention, 50 grams of fish were included in the lunch meal at least four to five times a week for four weeks. Sport performance, including maximum upper and lower body muscle strength measured by the chest press and leg press tests, average anaerobic power assessed through the RAST test, lipid profile, and vitamin D levels, was evaluated through blood tests conducted 48 hours before and after the study. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: No significant differences were observed in sport performance, triglyceride levels, cholesterol levels, or HDL levels among the three groups (P > 0.05). Vitamin D increased significantly in both fish consumption groups compared to the control group (P = 0.000). LDL decreased significantly in the wild trout group compared to the other two groups (P = 0.000). Conclusions: The consumption of both farmed and wild trout increased vitamin D levels. LDL was reduced only in the wild trout group, and the effect of wild trout was superior to that of farmed trout.