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 .
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory therapy after eccentric exercise in healthy older individuals.
BACKGROUND Aging is associated with greater susceptibility to muscle injury and soreness after exercise . Although elderly persons regularly consume nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ) , it is not clear that NSAIDs alleviate muscle dysfunction and /or inflammation following injurious exercise . METHODS In this double-blind crossover study , 10 men and 5 women ( aged 60 + /- 2 years , mean + /- SE ) consumed naproxen sodium or placebo for 10 days after performing 64 unilateral eccentric ( ECC ) knee extensions using 75 % of the ECC 1-repetition maximum .  Strength was measured before , 3 days after , and 10 days after each bout . Injury and soreness were assessed using magnetic resonance images of m. quadriceps femoris ( QF ) and a visual analog scale . RESULTS Three days after exercise , concentric strength loss was greater for placebo ( -32 + /- 9 % ) than NSAID ( -6 + /- 8 % ; p = .0064 ) . Likewise , isometric strength declined less for NSAID than placebo ( -12 + /- 7 % vs -24 + /- 4 % ; p = .0213 ) , and thigh soreness while rising from a chair was greater for placebo ( p < or = .0393 ) than NSAID ( 43 + /- 7 mm vs 26 + /- 7 mm ) . QF cross-sectional area ( cm(2 ) ) showing elevated T(2 ) was 27 % and 35 % greater ( p < or = .0096 ) for placebo on Days 3 and 10 , respectively . CONCLUSIONS Naproxen sodium attenuated muscle injury , strength loss , and soreness following ECC exercise in older individuals and may be beneficial during the early stages of increased physical activity
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 .