Effects of ibuprofen during 42-km trail running on oxidative stress, muscle fatigue, muscle damage and performance: a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT

Up to 75% of marathon runners ingest non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during competition. Despite the doubt whether or not they contribute to performance, the effect of NSAID in endurance sports is unclear. We evaluated the effect of ibuprofen (IBU) use on oxidative stress, muscle damage, physical performance, and vertical jump of runners participating in a 42-km-trail running. The sample consisted of 12 men randomly divided into 2 groups: a placebo group (placebo) and an ibuprofen group (IBG). A 400-mg IBU capsule was administered to the IBG 15 min prior to the start of the trial and during the course after 5 h. In the intergroup analysis, placebo 70.1% increase (p < 0.0001; Cohen’s d = 4.77) of the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS); the IBG exhibited a 31.46% increase of the sulphhydryl groups (SH) (p = 0.024, Cohen’s d = 0.27), 55% of squat jump (SJ) (p < 0.01; Cohen’s d = 1.41) with no significant effect on creatine kinase (CK), pace, speed, and finish time. In summary, IBU had positive evidence on oxidative stress and muscle fatigue, but had no effect on physical performance and muscle damage.

KEYWORDS:

• Ibuprofen
• oxidative stress
• muscle damage
• performance
• trail running

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank the Coordination Post-Graduation Program ofPhysical Education, Federal University of Sergipe (UFS) and the members ofGroup of Studies and Research of Performance, Sport, Health and ParalympicSports (GEPEPS) and Racing Club UFS.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.