Abstract
Background: Arnica is a homeopathic remedy which is sometimes used before and after long distance running in the belief that it reduces delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). However, the specific details of its use among athletes is not known. Therefore the aim of this study was to determine the usage patterns of Arnica tablets amongst participants in the 1999 ninety-kilometer Comrades ultra-marathon road race in South Africa.Methods: Every third runner registering for the race in Pietermaritzburg in the three-day (25 hour) pre-race registration period was approached and asked to complete a questionnaire on their use of Arnica tablets (n - 785; males = 85% and females = 15%).Results: Ten percent of the total study population who agreed to participate in the study (n = 730) had used Arnica tablets in the previous six months. The average reported dose by these athletes was seven tablets per day. The most common reason for using Arnica tablets was to decrease pain or stiffness after a race or training run. Only a small group (22%) rated the efficacy of Arnica tablets as “totally effective”, suggesting that a large number of users of Arnica did not rate the efficacy highly. There was a poor relationship between the perceived efficacy after ingesting Arnica tablets and the reported dosage (r = 0.28). The majority of the respondents (63%) believed that Arnica tablets contained anti-inflammatory agents.Conclusions: While 10% of the runners used Arnica, only one fifth of these runners rated the treatment as completely effective for the prevention of DOMS. Therefore education on the advantages and disadvantages of using these tablets has become important.
Highlights
T here is grow ing anecdotal evidence o f the use of homeopathy am ongst sports’ participants, in particular long distance runners and other endurance athletes
Ten percent o f the total study population who agreed to participate in the study (n = 730) had used Arnica tablets in the previous six months
Arnica tablets are frequently used as a prophylactic agent both before and after long distance running in the belief that the treatm ent reduces delayed onset m uscle soreness (DOMS)
Summary
T here is grow ing anecdotal evidence o f the use of homeopathy am ongst sports’ participants, in particular long distance runners and other endurance athletes. Arnica tablets are frequently used as a prophylactic agent both before and after long distance running in the belief that the treatm ent reduces delayed onset m uscle soreness (DOMS). CORRESPONDENCE TO: Associate Professor Mike Lambert M RC/UCT Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, P.O. Box 115, Newlands 7925 South Africa Tel: (021)650-4558 Fax: (021) 686-7530 Email: mlambert@ sports.uct.ac.za traum a, there is equivocal evidence o f its efficacy [Lokken et al, 1995; Jawara et al, 1997], O ne view point is that hom eopathy’s long history and continued successful use worldwide convincingly dem onstrates its efficacy in the treatm ent o f injuries and wounds [Lokken et al, 1995].
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