Effects of Ibuprofen Use on Lymphocyte Count and Oxidative Stress in Elite Paralympic Powerlifting

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Paralympic Powerlifting (PP) is a strength sport and training tends to promote fatigue. Ten national-level PP athletes were evaluated concerning post-training oxidative stress using Ibuprofen and a placebo. Strength indicators were evaluated. The training consisted of five sets of five repetitions (80–90% 1-Repetition Maximum) in the bench press. The IBU had a positive effect on strength indicators, with decreased fatigue and increased lymphocyte count. There were no differences in oxidative stress. The use of IBU provided improvements in strength and fatigue reduction and did not protect against oxidative stress. ABSTRACT: Background: Paralympic Powerlifting (PP) training tends to promote fatigue and oxidative stress. Objective: To analyze the effects of ibuprofen use on performance and oxidative stress in post-training PP athletes. Methodology: Ten national level PP athletes (age: 27.13 ± 5.57) were analyzed for oxidative stress in post-training. The study was carried out in three weeks, (1) familiarization and (2 and 3) evaluated the recovery with the use of a placebo (PLA) and ibuprofen (IBU), 800 mg. The Peak Torque (PT), Torque Development Rate (TDR), Fatigue Index (FI), reactive substances to thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) and sulfhydryl groups (SH) were evaluated. The training consisted of five sets of five repetitions (80–90%) 1-Repetition Maximum (1-RM) in the bench press. Results: The IBU showed a higher PT (24 and 48 h, p = 0.04, ɳ(2) p = 0.39), a lower FI (24 h, p = 0.01, ɳ(2)p = 0.74) and an increased lymphocyte count (p < 0.001; ɳ(2)p = 4.36). There was no change in oxidative stress. Conclusions: The use of IBU provided improvements in strength and did not protect against oxidative stress.