title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini 69100, Greece. stokmaki@phyed.duth.gr
authors.forename: Savvas P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Tokmakidis
authors.forename: Efstratios A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Kokkinidis
authors.forename: Ilias
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Smilios
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Douda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D007866:Leg; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D007052:Ibuprofen