The effects of ibuprofen on muscle hypertrophy, strength, and soreness during resistance training.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized double-blind within-subject controlled trial
PubMed 18461099 · doi:10.1139/H08-019
What was done
In a double-blind, counterbalanced within-subject design, 18 young adults (12 males, 6 females; approximately 24 years old) trained their right and left biceps on alternate days (6 sets of 4-10 repetitions, 5 days/week) for 6 weeks. Participants were randomized to receive 400 mg/day ibuprofen immediately after training one arm, and a placebo after training the opposite arm the following day. Biceps muscle thickness was measured by ultrasound, 1-repetition maximum (1 RM) arm curl strength was tested before and after training, and muscle soreness was rated daily.
What was found
Both muscle thickness and strength showed significant time main effects (p < 0.01) with no differences between treatments. Biceps muscle thickness increased similarly in the ibuprofen arm (pre: 3.63 +/- 0.14 cm, post: 3.92 +/- 0.15 cm) and the placebo arm (pre: 3.62 +/- 0.15 cm, post: 3.90 +/- 0.15 cm). Arm curl 1 RM strength increased similarly in the ibuprofen arm (pre: 18.6 +/- 2.8 kg, post: 23.4 +/- 3.5 kg) and the placebo arm (pre: 18.8 +/- 2.8 kg, post: 22.8 +/- 3.4 kg). Muscle soreness was elevated only during the first week, with no difference between arms.
Why it matters
This study indicates that moderate over-the-counter daily doses of ibuprofen (400 mg/day) do not blunt resistance-training-induced muscle hypertrophy or strength gains over a 6-week period.
Limits
The sample size was small (n = 18) and limited to young healthy individuals. The within-subject design carries potential cross-over effects because orally ingested ibuprofen acts systemically rather than locally. The study evaluated only a single muscle group, one moderate dose, and a 6-week duration.
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