A recent study continues this discussion by testing the efficacy of Ibuprofen topical gel in both men and women who engaged in unaccustomed gym exercise. They recruited a large population (65 women, 41 men) ranging in age from 18 to 65 yr because they were interested in comparing men and women, and young and old. The gel consisted of a 10% Ibuprofen concentration. A visual analog scale was used to assess muscle soreness (see below) on the back of the thigh and on the upper arm.
Testing was randomized and everyone performed the test twice with a 3-wk period in between. Some participants received the placebo during the first test and the ibuprofen during the second test and the others received these in reverse order. The exercises were performed with one leg and one arm and the left and right sides were also randomized for testing. The exercise performed included the preacher curl and knee flexion exercises. Everyone performed 6 sets of 10 reps at 80% 1RM (1 repetition maximum), and 3-min rest between sets. Sets were performed to failure.
Pain was assessed beginning 36 hr following exercise and every hour for 6 hours thereafter.
During the assessment, a lift was performed at full ROM for each exercise. The weight lifted was very little, 1 lb for arm and 5 to 10 lb for leg. After the first pain assessment at 36 hr, a topical gel was administered. The treatment amount applied to the skin was equivalent to 125 mg of ibuprofen and the placebo gel contained no ibuprofen.
What they found:
- level of pain was highest at the 36 hr time, gradually decreasing during the 6-hr period
- no difference in pain between ibuprofen and placebo
- no difference in pain between men and women
- older adults experienced a higher level of pain regardless of the topical gel
This study was very well designed. The tests and treatments were randomized and they used a “cross over design” (everyone was tested with the ibuprofen and the placebo) with a long period in between treatments. They tested a very well screened population, they had a large number of participants and these individuals were all relatively unaccustomed to exercise. If they had used athletes for this study, the results may have been different. For instance, thletes might perceive pain differently than non-athletes because they are more accustomed to it.
What does this mean for you? Once again, this is one of those things where it might help you, but it more likely will not. But, never underestimate the power of a placebo; simply rubbing gel on your sore muscles may actually reduce your pain. For instance, I apply Tiger Balm to my sore muscles on occasion and I swear that it does help and I’m sure many others who use it feel the same. The topical Ibuprofen might be worth trying, especially if you do not wish to take ibuprofen orally. Also keep in mind that some pain may be an indication of overuse injury. In which case, anti-inflammatory drugs may be necessary along with other forms of treatment.
One last word, the FDA recently sent a letter to several manufacturer’s of topical ibuprofen and warned them that their product must be removed since it has not received FDA approval. Here’s the link to that:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm179689.htm.
Reference:
Hyldahl et al, Effects of Ibuprofen topical gel on muscle soreness. Med Sci Sports Exerc 42: 614-621,2010.
