Acute acetaminophen ingestion improves the recovery of neuromuscular fatigue following simulated soccer match-play

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the impact of acute acetaminophen (ACT) ingestion on the responses of neuromuscular function, biomarkers of muscle damage, and physical performance during the 72-h recovery period following simulated soccer match-play. DesignThe study followed a crossover randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial design. MethodsDuring the two experimental sessions, thirteen semi-professional male soccer players completed a 90-min simulated soccer match, 60 min after oral ingestion of 1 g ACT or placebo (PL). Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and twitch responses of the knee extensors muscles, elicited through electrical femoral nerve stimulation, were utilized to evaluate both peripheral fatigue (potentiated twitch force, Qtw,pot) and central fatigue (voluntary activation, VA). Performance was assessed through countermovement jump (CMJ) and 20 m sprint tests. Creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were also measured. ResultsSmaller reductions were observed in MVC (−13.3 ± 7.5 % vs. -24.7 ± 11.1 %) and VA (−3.8 ± 4.4 % vs. -12.9 ± 5.4 %) in the ACT compared to the PL condition immediately after simulated soccer match-play (p < 0.05). Afterwards, these parameters were recovered 24 h earlier in the ACT session compared to the PL session. Furthermore, the 20 m sprint performance was significantly better throughout the recovery period in the ACT session compared to the PL session. ConclusionThe findings of this study showed that acute ingestion of 1 g of ACT (1 h before exercise) attenuated the decrease in MVC and VA levels after exercise, as well as improved 20 m sprint performance.