The Effects of Ibuprofen on Delayed Muscle Soreness and Muscular Performance After Eccentric Exercise

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ibuprofen on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), indirect markers of muscle damage and muscular performance. Nineteen subjects (their mean [+/- SD] age, height, and weight was 24.6 +/- 3.9 years, 176.2 +/- 11.1 cm, 77.3 +/- 18.7 kg) performed the eccentric leg curl exercise to induce muscle soreness in the hamstrings. Nine subjects took an ibuprofen pill of 400 mg every 8 hours within a period of 48 hours, whereas 10 subjects received a placebo randomly (double blind). White blood cells (WBCs) and creatine kinase (CK) were measured at pre-exercise, 4-6, 24, and 48 hours after exercise and maximal strength (1 repetition maximum). Vertical jump performance and knee flexion range of motion (ROM) were measured at pre-exercise, 24 and 48 hours after exercise. Muscle soreness increased (p < 0.05) in both groups after 24 and 48 hours, although the ibuprofen group yielded a significantly lower value (p < 0.05) after 24 hours. The WBC levels were significantly (p < 0.05) increased 4-6 hours postexercise in both groups with no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the 2 groups. The CK values increased (p < 0.05) in the placebo group at 24 and 48 hours postexercise, whereas no significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in the ibuprofen group. The CK values of the ibuprofen group were lower (p < 0.05) after 48 hours compared with the placebo group. Maximal strength, vertical jump performance, and knee ROM decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after exercise and at 24 and 48 hours postexercise in both the placebo and the ibuprofen groups with no differences being observed (p > 0.05) between the 2 groups. The results of this study reveal that intake of ibuprofen can decrease muscle soreness induced after eccentric exercise but cannot assist in restoring muscle function.

The Effect of a Prophylactic Dose of Ibuprofen on Plasma Level of Interleukin 1, Interleukin 6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha in a 1500 m Running Practice

“…Also the effect of a prophylactic dose of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) on muscle damage or soreness is controversial. Tokmakidis et al (2003) reported that ibuprofen use compared to nonuse by athletes can decrease muscle soreness induced after eccentric exercise which is not comparable to the results of some other similar studies (Suzuki et al, 20002;Semark et al, 1999;Nieman et al, 2006). Since ibuprofen did not affect the inflammatory cytokines in untrained athletes, so the etiology of athletes muscle soreness seems to be independent of increases in prostaglandin (Semark et al, 1999).…”

“…Semark et al (1999) reported that a prophylactic dose of flurbiprofen did not affect Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), muscle soreness in trained subjects (Semark et al, 1999). However, Kokkinidis et al reported that ibuprofen decreased muscle soreness induced after eccentric exercise (Tokmakidis et al, 2003). However, Nieman et al (2006) reported that ibuprofen use compared to nonuse by athletes competing in a 160 km race did not alter muscle damage or soreness but decreased inflammatory cytokines (Nieman et al, 2006).…”

Effect of Combined anti-Inflammatory and Nutritional Supplements on Recovery from Resistance Exercise

“…Among these practices is the use of anti-inflammatories [1], supplementation with minerals and antioxidant vitamins [2], and higher intake of protein, carbohydrates, electrolytes, and fluids [3,4]. Anti-inflammatory medications can reduce the pain and edema that accompany training and may expedite training recovery and restoration of performance capacity [5][6][7][8]. Similarly, supplemental antioxidants carry the potential to enhance exercise performance by reducing the detrimental effects of reactive oxygen species [2,5,6].…”

Efeito do uso profilático do anti-inflamatório não-esteroide ibuprofeno sobre o desempenho em uma sessão de treino de força

“…The correlation between NSAI and strength training (also called resistance training) has already been approached by investigations which focused on the effects of the prophylactic 12,13 or therapeutic use 12,[14][15][16] of these pharmaceuticals in the treatment of the symptoms of muscular damage induced by eccentric exercise, especially delayed muscular pain. Moreover, the chronic effect of NSAI use on the hypertrophic response and the strength increase after a period of strength training has been studied 17,18 .…”