Abstract
Acetaminophen (ACT) may decrease perception of pain during exercise, which could allow runners to improve running economy (RE) and performance. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of ACT on RE and 3 km time trial (TT) performance in collegiate distance runners. A randomized, double blind, crossover study was employed in which 11 track athletes (9M/2F; age: 18.8 ± 0.6 years; VO2 max: 60.6 ± 7.7 mL/kg/min) completed three intervention sessions. Participants ingested either nothing (baseline, BSL), three gelatin capsules (placebo, PLA), or three 500 mg ACT caplets (ACT). One hour after ingestion, participants completed a graded exercise test consisting of 4 × 5 min steady-state stages at ~55–75% of VO2 max followed by a 3 km TT. There was no influence of ACT on RE in any stage. Similarly, ACT did not favorably modify 3 km TT performance [mean ± SD: BSL = 613 ± 71 s; PLA = 617 ± 70 s; ACT = 618 ± 70 s; p = 0.076]. The results indicate that ACT does not improve RE or TT performance in collegiate runners at the 3 km distance. Those wanting to utilize ACT for performance must understand that ACT’s benefits have yet to be significant amongst well-trained runners. Future studies should examine the effects of ACT on well-trained runners over longer trial distances and under more controlled conditions with appropriate medical oversight.
Highlights
During high intensity efforts runners experience a great deal of pain [1]
Runners were normal weight based on body mass index and presented with VO2 max values at or above the 99th percentile for age and sex [20]
Baseline running economy (RE) expressed as mL/kg/km and kcal/kg/km were within 1% of the placebo and ACT conditions for all stages of the incremental exercise test
Summary
During high intensity efforts runners experience a great deal of pain [1]. This pain can be a result of muscle fatigue, tissue damage, or aggravation of previous injury [1]. Taking pain-relieving medications, which are not banned by the governing body of the sport, and which are safe to ingest for healthy individuals with no allergies to their ingredients or contraindications to the medication, has been investigated as a way to enhance exercise performance. Acetaminophen (ACT), known as paracetamol, is an over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer. ACT can alter acute and chronic responses to exercise by increasing pain threshold and demanding a greater amount of a stimulus before pain is felt [3]
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