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Analgesics and Sport Performance: Beyond the Pain-Modulating Effects
Darias Holgado1,2,3,4, James Hopker1,2,3,4, Daniel Sanabria1,2,3,4
1Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Carretera de Alfacar s/n 18011 Granada, Spain; and Mind, Brain, and Behavior Research Center, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
PM & R : the Journal of Injury, Function, and Rehabilitation
|August 8, 2017
Summary
Some athletes use analgesics for performance enhancement, not just pain relief. This review examines evidence suggesting certain analgesics, like paracetamol and glucocorticoids, may offer ergogenic benefits in sports.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Analgesics are commonly used in sports to manage pain and inflammation.
- There is increasing concern that athletes may use analgesics for performance enhancement.
- The ergogenic effects of analgesics in athletes are debated, despite established pain-relief mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the scientific evidence on whether analgesics can enhance athletic performance.
- To determine the extent to which analgesics might improve exercise capacity.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing literature on analgesic use in sports.
- Evaluation of studies investigating the effects of paracetamol, NSAIDs, and glucocorticoids on performance.
- Identification of research gaps, particularly concerning opioids like tramadol.
Main Results:
- Paracetamol may enhance endurance and repeated sprint performance by modulating central pain processing.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) show mixed results regarding muscle strength enhancement.
- Glucocorticoids demonstrate clear performance-enhancing effects after short-term oral administration.
Conclusions:
- The ergogenic potential of certain analgesics warrants further investigation by sports regulatory bodies.
- Evidence suggests paracetamol and glucocorticoids may offer performance benefits.
- More research is needed on the impact of opioids, such as tramadol, on athletic performance.
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