An Acute Naproxen Dose Does Not Affect Core Temperature or Interleukin-6 During Cycling in a Hot Environment

Author(s)

Dawn M. Emerson, Department of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and Athletic Training, School of Health Professions, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, MS 2002, Kansas City, Kansas, 66 ​160, USA.
Stephen Cl Chen, Division of Exercise and Sport Science, Bob Jones University, 1700 Wade Hampton Blvd, Greenville, South Carolina, 29 ​614, USA.
Toni M. Torres-McGehee, Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
Craig E. Pfeifer, Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences, The Park, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham GL50 2RH, United Kingdom.
Charles C. Emerson, Department of Athletics, 5100 Rockhill Rd SRC 201, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, 64110, USA.
J Mark Davis, Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.

ORCID iD

10.1016/j.smhs.2021.08.004

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs' anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory effects has led some individuals to theorize these medications may blunt core body temperature (Tc) increases during exercise. We utilized a double-blind, randomized, and counterbalanced cross-over design to examine the effects of a 24-h naproxen dose (3-220 mg naproxen pills) and placebo (0 mg naproxen) on Tc and plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations during cycling in a hot or ambient environment. Participants ( = 11; 6 male, 5 female; age = 27.8 ± 6.5 years, weight = 79.1 ± 17.9 kg, height = 177 ± 9.5 cm) completed 4 conditions: 1) placebo and ambient (Control); 2) placebo and heat (Heat); 3) naproxen and ambient (Npx); and 4) naproxen and heat (NpxHeat). Dependent measures were taken before, during, and immediately after 90 min of cycling and then 3 h after cycling. Overall, Tc significantly increased pre- (37.1 ± 0.4 °C) to post-cycling (38.2 ± 0.3 °C, = 150.5, < 0.001) and decreased during rest (37.0 ± 0.3 °C, = 201.6, < 0.001). Rate of change or maximum Tc were not significantly different between conditions. IL-6 increased pre- (0.54 ± 0.06 pg/ml) to post-exercise (2.46 ± 0.28 pg/ml, < 0.001) and remained significantly higher than pre-at 3 h post- (1.17 ± 0.14 pg/ml, 95% = -1.01 to -0.23, = 0.001). No significant IL-6 differences occurred between conditions. A 24-h, over-the-counter naproxen dose did not significantly affect Tc or IL-6 among males and females cycling in hot or ambient environments.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smhs.2021.08.004

Publication Info

Sports Medicine and Health Science, Issue 4, 2021, pages 243-251.

Rights

© 2021 The Authors. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license.

APA Citation

Emerson, D. M., Chen, S. C., Torres-McGehee, T. M., Pfeifer, C. E., Emerson, C. C., & Davis, J. M. (2021). An acute naproxen dose does not affect core temperature or Interleukin-6 during cycling in a hot environment. Sports Medicine and Health Science, 3(4), 243–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smhs.2021.08.004