(The FASEB Journal. 2008;22:753.31-753.)
© 2008 FASEB
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen promote muscle hypertrophy and strength gains during resistance exercise in the elderly
Chad C Carroll,
Jared M Dickinson,
Jennifer K LeMoine,
Jacob M Haus,
Eileen M Weinheimer,
Christopher J Hollon and
Todd A Trappe
Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, IN
ABSTRACT
This study examined the influence of chronic consumption of ibuprofen or acetaminophen during 12 weeks of knee-extensor resistance training (3d/wk, 70% 1RM) in the elderly. Thirty-six individuals were randomly assigned to one of three groups and consumed the drugs in double-blind placebo-controlled fashion: Placebo (67±2 y; 8M, 4F), Ibuprofen (64±1 y; 9M, 4F; 1.2g/d), or Acetaminophen (64±1 y; 7M, 4F; 4g/d). Resistance training alone (Placebo) increased (p<0.05) quadriceps muscle volume (M only: 8±2%; M+F: 9±1%) and muscle strength (M only: 20±3%; M+F: 23±2%). Compared to Placebo, muscle volume increases were greater in the Ibuprofen (M only: 11±2%, p<0.05; M+F: 11±2%, p=0.06) and Acetaminophen (M only: 13±1%, p<0.05; M+F: 13±1%, p=0.06) groups. Muscle strength increases were also greater than Placebo in the Ibuprofen (M only: 29±4%, p<0.05; M+F: 30±3%, p=0.06) and Acetaminophen (M only: 26±3%, p<0.05; M+F: 28±3%, p=0.06) groups. These results suggest that chronic consumption of ibuprofen or acetaminophen during resistance training induces intramuscular changes that enhance the metabolic response to resistance exercise, which promotes additional muscle hypertrophy and strength gains during resistance training in the elderly.
NIH R01 AG020532 (TT), APS Postdoctoral Initiative Award (CC)
