Naproxen’s Effect on Performance Within Neuromuscular Parameters

This study investigated whether naproxen has an ergogenic effect on neuromuscular performance. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial was conducted on 11 resistance-trained men who performed one strength-training session after taking 500 mg of naproxen and another session after taking a placebo. Participants performed three sets of the horizontal bench press with a load of 90% of repetition maximum (RM) to concentric failure. Outcome variables included number of repetitions, workload, fatigue index (FI), and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Results showed a statistically insignificant reduction in the number of repetitions for placebo when compared to naproxen, amounting to a relative difference of 44.89%. DOMS was lower in the naproxen group, but differences between conditions were not statistically significant. A statistically significant treatment effect was found for workload, favoring naproxen treatment. A statistically significant difference was found for FI between the second and third sets compared to the first set, with results favoring naproxen. We concluded that naproxen helps enhance neuromuscular outcomes in an acute high-intensity strength training bout.