SINGLE DOSE OF ANALGESIC AND NSAID MEDICATION: EFFECT ON MUSCLE SORENESS AND PERFORMANCE 917

Abstract

The goal of this study was to determine the effect of a single dose of NSAID or analgesic drug on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and performance. 62 subjects (age 22-42) were randomly assigned to early dose(given immediately after muscle damage-E) or late dose (given at 24 hrs-L): 1) ibuprofen (EI) (N=8) & (LI) (N=8) [400 mg]; 2) naproxen (EN) (N=7) & (LN) (N=8) [400 mg]; 3) acetaminophen (EA) (N=7)& LA (N=8) [1000 mg]; and 4) placebo (EP) (N=8) & (LP) (N=8). A double blind design was employed for this study. Baseline data were collected for: 1) isometric knee extension (KE) and KE eccentric and concentric torque; 2) visual analog scale (VAS) during 1 leg stand and sit for soreness (VS), weakness (VW) and coordination (VC); 3) amount of assist (as a% of body wt) needed during stand and sit (%BW); 4) therapists perception of assist required by subject during stand and sit (PAS); and 5) soreness perception by palpation of the entire thigh with a load cell (SP). All variables were re-tested at 24 and 48-hrs post muscle damage. The 3 KE measures were not different when compared between groups. The 3 VAS measures and assist were significant across time for all groups. Only the EN group had significantly lower VS, VC, VW,%BW and PAS scores at 24 and 48 hours when compared to all other groups. Finally, SP was lower for EN compared to all groups except EI at 24 hours and significantly lower at 48 hours than all other groups. This data indicates that a single dose of NSAID or analgesic is not effective if given at 24 hours. If NSAID, particularly naproxen, is given immediately after clinical signs of weakness and uncoordination then less DOMS and weakness will be present at 24 and 48 hrs.