Effect of Ibuprofen on Muscle, Hematological and Renal Function, Hydric Balance, Pain, and Performance During Intense Long-Distance Running.

Raphael Fabricio de Souza, Dihogo Gama de Matos, Alexandre Reis Pires Ferreira, Philip Chilibeck, Natalie de Almeida Barros, Alan Santos Oliveira, Luana Mendonça Cercato, Danielle Soares da Silva, Felipe José Aidar

Journal: Journal of strength and conditioning research 2020;34(7):2076-2083

PMID: 29461420

Abstract

de Souza, RF, de Matos, DG, Ferreira, ARP, Chilibeck, P, Barros, NdA, de Oliveira, AS, Cercato, LM, da Silva, DS, and Aidar, FJ. Effect of ibuprofen on muscle, hematological and renal function, hydric balance, pain, and performance during intense long-distance running. J Strength Cond Res 34(7): 2076-2083, 2020-The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of prophylactic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e., ibuprofen) on physical performance, vertical jump, muscle biomarkers, liver, kidney, acute pain, and hydration status of participants in the 42-km Trail Running Challenge, a long-distance race integrated over mountain routes. The sample consisted of 20 men randomly divided into 2 groups: a control group (CG) and an experimental group (EG), with 12 completing the race (41.1 ± 8.8 years; 75.7 ± 12.1 kg) and included in the final analysis. The EG were administered an ibuprofen capsule (400 mg) 15 minutes before the beginning of the race and again after 5 hours of racing if the route was not yet completed. There were significant time main effects for creatine kinase (p = 0.001; f Cohen = 0.25), lactate dehydrogenase (p < 0.001; f Cohen = 2.05), aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.002; f Cohen = 1.53), creatinine (p = 0.002; f Cohen = 2.24), urea (p = 0.001; f Cohen = 2.25), heart rate (p < 0.001; f Cohen = 4.88), and pain scores (p < 0.001; f Cohen = 1.93) all of which increased during the race. There was a group × time interaction for squat jump, which significantly decreased only in the CG (p = 0.045; f Cohen = 2.17). This may have been related to increased frequency of pain reported after the race in the gastrocnemius of the CG compared with the EG (p ≤ 0.05). It was concluded that ibuprofen intake did not reduce muscle damage during the competition but maintained leg muscular power performance (i.e., vertical jump), possibly by reducing gastrocnemius muscle pain.

Address: Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe-UFS, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil.; Group of Studies and Research of Performance, Sport, Health and Paralympic Sports-GEPEPS, the Federal University of Sergipe-UFS, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil.; Racing Club at the Federal University of Sergipe-UFS, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil.; Graduate Program in Doctor's level in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco-UFPE, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.; Group of Studies and Research of Performance, Sport, Health and Paralympic Sports-GEPEPS, the Federal University of Sergipe-UFS, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil.; Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe-UFS, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil.; Group of Studies and Research of Performance, Sport, Health and Paralympic Sports-GEPEPS, the Federal University of Sergipe-UFS, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil.; College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.; Group of Studies and Research of Performance, Sport, Health and Paralympic Sports-GEPEPS, the Federal University of Sergipe-UFS, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil.; Graduate Program in Master's level in Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe-UFS, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil.; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Inflammatory Process, Federal University of Sergipe-UFS, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil.; Research center and attention to worker health, Federal University of Sergipe-UFS, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil.; Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe-UFS, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil.; Group of Studies and Research of Performance, Sport, Health and Paralympic Sports-GEPEPS, the Federal University of Sergipe-UFS, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil.; Racing Club at the Federal University of Sergipe-UFS, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil.; Graduate Program in Master's level in Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe-UFS, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil.; Graduate program in Physiological Sciences (Master's and Doctorate), Federal University of Sergipe-UFS, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil.
Bant logo

© Copyright 2026, Nutrition Evidence

NED wishes to thank the following organisations for their support:

We use cookies to improve your experience and analyze site traffic with Google Analytics. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more.