There was neither significant difference in the maximum performance between NSAIDs and control groups nor in the time until exhaustion nor in self-perceived pain .
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ) are medications that are frequently used by athletes .
There may also be some abuse of these substances , although it is unclear whether NSAIDs in fact enhance performance .
We performed a systematic review and meta- analysis to evaluate the effect of NSAIDs on sport performance indices .
Effects of ibuprofen on exercise-induced muscle soreness and indices of muscle damage.
Thirty-two volunteers participated in a two-period crossover study in which ibuprofen was tested against an identical placebo for its effectiveness in reducing  muscle soreness and damage  after two bouts of downhill running .  Subjective soreness , quadriceps isometric strength and isometric endurance time at 50 percent of maximum strength , serum activities of creatine kinase , lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate transaminase and serum levels of creatinine and urea were recorded at intervals up to 72 hours after exercise . Each downhill run produced muscle soreness , and a decline in muscle strength and 50 percent endurance time , although these parameters were unaffected by ibuprofen treatment . All serum parameters measured increased after both runs , but for the three enzymes this increase was smaller after the second run . Serum creatine kinase and urea levels were higher in the ibuprofen group after both runs . These results indicate that ibuprofen is not an appropriate treatment for delayed onset muscle soreness and damage
There was neither significant difference in the maximum performance between NSAIDs and control groups nor in the time until exhaustion nor in self-perceived pain .
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ) are medications that are frequently used by athletes .
There may also be some abuse of these substances , although it is unclear whether NSAIDs in fact enhance performance .
We performed a systematic review and meta- analysis to evaluate the effect of NSAIDs on sport performance indices .