Use of pain killers before a match
Published: 22 Apr 2008 - 08:13 by jimbob1965
Updated: 24 Sep 2008 - 17:34
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I have heard a couple of players in our league talk recenlty about regularly taking pain killers just before a match, particuarly Iboprofen. They say they use it not to relieve any exiting aches or pains, but because it supposedly has beneficial effects on their play, particularly in terms of muscle stamina, general movement and even concentration.
Does anyone else regularly use Ibuprofen or any other form of pain killers before a match? Can these effects be backed up by mecical facts, or is there an element of placebo at work? Finally, are there any medical risks associated with regular or long term use of such products? I would hate to become reliant on taking pills to improve or maintain my standard of play, particularly if there are health risks!
Cheers
Jimbob
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From aprice1985 - 24 Apr 2008 - 08:40
From rippa rit - 23 Apr 2008 - 09:26
Things are getting pretty bad when you have to take strong drugs to be able to play a squash match.
Anti-inflammatorys are often prescribed as a short term measure after injury so that physio can be performed.
Stiff/swollen Knees in particular do hinder squash players if they cannot move fluently to the ball. I would, maybe, settle for asprin if necessary. Ibuprofen is non steriodal so its benefits during play would be to assist movement.which in turn would assist the performance. However, it is a potent drug and normally only recommended to be taken for 3 to 4 days as the side effects can be quite serious if taken over a long period of time. If you opponent is continually using this drug it would be a good idea to brush up on your CPR.
A good thing to keep in mind too is, continual repeated trauma causes osteoarthritis.
From stevo - 22 Apr 2008 - 10:43
I can't see how it would help. Ibuprofen is good for muscle pains but I doubt it would be preventative or have any positive performance benefits.
Long term use can lead to stomach ulcers.
From mike - 22 Apr 2008 - 09:06
Doesn't seem the best way to peak to me. Having to take a drug intented for a different purpose to play your best doesn't seem in the spirit of things.
I have no idea about the health implications, but I think there probably is at least some placebo effect.
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Yeah, i have taken ibuprofen but only for niggling aches and pains. I cant think of any reason it would boost performance other than allowing you to ignore any aches during the match. regular use of it can cause stomach ulcer if not taken with food, it theoretically increases the bleeding time (not by much though) But the biggest concern is that there is some thought that if it is used when severely dehydrated it can cause kidney damage, allegedly some marathon runners went into kidney failure after using it then running. And it can cause acute episodes of asthma in asthmatics but most of them know not to use it. I would suggest that as an occasional one off it is ok but i wouldnt do it regularily. Most importantly it may mask an injury and lead to you having more damage done.
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