Resumen de 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 D. Chilibeck, Natalie de Almeida Barros, Alan Santos Oliveira, Luana Mendonça Cercato, Danielle Soares da Silva, Felipe José Aidar

• 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; f2 Cohen = 0.25), lactate dehydrogenase (p < 0.001; f2 Cohen = 2.05), aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.002; f2 Cohen = 1.53), creatinine (p = 0.002; f2 Cohen = 2.24), urea (p = 0.001; f2 Cohen = 2.25), heart rate (p < 0.001; f2 Cohen = 4.88), and pain scores (p < 0.001; f2 Cohen = 1.93) all of which increased during the race. There was a group x time interaction for squat jump, which significantly decreased only in the CG (p = 0.045; f2 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.