Effects of low-dose ibuprofen supplementation and resistance training on bone and muscle in postmenopausal women: A randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of nine months of exercise training and ibuprofen supplementation (given immeditately after exercise sessions) on bone and muscle in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
In a double-blind randomized trial, participants (females: n = 90, mean age 64.8, SD 4.3 years) were assigned (computer generated, double blind) to receive supervised resistance training or stretching 3 days/week, and ibuprofen (400 mg, post-exercise) or placebo (i.e. 4 groups) for 9 months. In this proof-of-concept study the sample size was halved from required 200 identified via 90% power calculation. Baseline and post-intervention testing included: Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total body areal bone mineral density (aBMD); geometry of proximal femur; total body lean tissue and fat mass; predicted 1-repetition maximum muscle strength testing (1RM; biceps curl, hack squat).


RESULTS
Exercise training or ibuprofen supplementation had no effects on aBMD of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total body. There was a significant exercise × supplement × time interaction for aBMD of Ward's region of the femoral neck (p = 0.015) with post hoc comparison showing a 6% decrease for stretching with placebo vs. a 3% increase for stretching with ibuprofen (p = 0.017). Resistance training increased biceps curl and hack squat strength vs. stretching (22% vs. 4% and 114% vs. 12%, respectively) (p < 0.01) and decreased percent body fat compared to stretching (2% vs. 0%) (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Ibuprofen supplementation provided some benefits to bone when taken independent of exercise training in postmenopausal women. This study provides evidence towards a novel, easily accessible stimulus for enhancing bone health [i.e. ibuprofen].
College of Kinesiology, Physical Activity Complex, 87 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B2, Canada.
Whitney R D
WR
Duff
College of Kinesiology, Physical Activity Complex, 87 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B2, Canada.
Saija A
SA
Kontulainen
Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Centre for Kinesiology, Health, and Sport, 3737 Wascana Parkway, University of Regina, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, Canada.
Darren G
DG
Candow
College of Kinesiology, Physical Activity Complex, 87 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B2, Canada.
Julianne J
JJ
Gordon
College of Kinesiology, Physical Activity Complex, 87 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B2, Canada.
Riley S
RS
Mason
College of Medicine, Health Sciences Building Box 19, 107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada.
Regina
R
Taylor-Gjevre
College of Medicine, Health Sciences Building Box 19, 107 Wiggins Road, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada.
Bindu
B
Nair
School of Public Health, Health Sciences Building, 104 Clinic Place, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 2Z4, Canada.
Michael
M
Szafron
College of Kinesiology, Physical Activity Complex, 87 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B2, Canada.
Adam D G
AD
Baxter-Jones
College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Health Sciences Building, 104 Clinic Place, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 2Z4, Canada.
Gordon A
GA
Zello
College of Kinesiology, Physical Activity Complex, 87 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B2, Canada.
Philip D
PD
Chilibeck
Aging; Ibuprofen; Osteoporosis; Sarcopenia