Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
Lots of athletes and exercisers take ibuprofen, an over-
the-counter medication, and other nonsteroidals to ease pain in
their joints and muscles. A study from the University of Florida
(Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, May 2006) shows
that nonsteroidal drugs inhibit exercise-induced muscle growth
and strength.
Athletes train by taking a hard workout and damaging
their muscles. They feel sore on the next day and exercise at
reduced intensity until their muscles are healed. When they feel
no soreness, they take a hard workout again. When muscles
heal from the stress of a hard workout, they are larger and
stronger. Damaged muscles release a healing prostaglandin
called Cox-2, that causes muscle growth and increased strength.
Ibuprofen blocks Cox-2 and therefore will delay or inhibit muscle
growth. Pain medicines may make you feel better, but at the
cost of interfering with the strength gains you are working to
achieve.
June 15, 2006