Introduction
It can be said that all athletes (sportsmen and women) are prone to injury. Sports haven been developed from the natural capabilities of the human mind and body and so, when partaken at modest level, few sports involve great risk of physical injuries. This situation changes drastically when sporting pursuits are undertaken at higher levels of competition. Herein, if an athlete would want achieve his/her goal of winning, the pressure is put in the structural framework of the body which sometimes result to injuries. Many of the sports carry their own peculiar additional risks of injury to the body. For example, the boxer may suffer repeated blows to the face causing extensive bruising and laceration and football player may receive kicks to the legs resulting in bruising or even bone fracture. Whatever the cause or nature of the injury, one of its inevitable features will be the occurrence of an inflammatory reaction at the damaged area.
In order to alleviate the suffering of these athletes, there are different kinds of drugs that can be used for such injuries or pain. One of which is the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. Because of the issue of performance enhancing drugs used by many athletes, the term Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is being used.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug is capable of reducing or eliminating pain. Its anti-inflammatory actions are used to lessen problems link with swelling of injuries and pain. Anti-inflammatory drugs are the approved types of drugs that can be used in sports (Rahusen, Weinhold & Almekinders, 2004) for muscle injuries and other pains cause by sports activities. . NSAIDS that are more commonly used as treatment of injuries and pains caused in athletes include ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, ketoprofen, and compounds like indomethacin and vioxyl.
Use of NSAID in Sports
As mentioned there are different kinds of NSAID that can be used by athletes. Hence, the following will discuss the use of each type of NSAID and the adverse effect of each drug for sportsmen and women.
Aspirin or Indomethacin
One of the kinds of NSAID is aspirin or indomethacin, these anti-inflammatory drugs is used as analgesics and recommended fro treatment of sports injuries.
Pharmacological action
The analgesics’ anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity of NSAID is based on their ability to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis.
Adverse effects
The most common adverse effects associated with NSAIDs are gastro-intestinal, including nausea, dyspepsia and ulcers. Topical administration of NSAIDs may offer an effective and possibly safer alternative route of administration.
Muscle relaxants
Use in sport
There are a number of drugs, such as benzodiazepines and dantrolene sodium, which have muscle relaxant effects. They are not generally recommended for the treatment of athletic injury.
Benzodiazepines and other anxiolytics
Use in sport
A number of classes of drugs have been used as anxiolytics, including alcohol, beta blockers and benzodiazepines. The first two classes have been described above, as they are restricted in certain sports.
Pharmacological action
Benzodiazepines variously reduce the activity of a number of central neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine, serotonin and noradrenaline. The anti-anxiety effect is primarily through release of gamma-aminobutyric acid, which inhibits the release of serotonin.
Adverse effects
Benzodiazepines are relatively free of adverse effects. However, they are liable to produce dependency if used for extended periods. Benzodiazepines may also be used by athletes for insomnia. Under these circumstances, athletes need to be aware of the ‘hangover’ effect of these drugs.
Cough and cold preparations
Use in sport
The use of medication for these self-limiting conditions is questionable. The only potential use for drugs is for the control of symptoms such as headache, fever, runny nose and cough. However, many of the drugs found in OTC cough and cold remedies, particularly the alpha-1-sympathomimetic decongestants, are banned by the IOC, although there are cut-off concentrations in the urine for these drugs.
Pharmacological action
Apart from the sympathomimetic decongestants discussed previously, cough and cold medicines may contain analgesics (paracetamol, codeine), antihistamines (e.g. triprolidine, astemizole), imidazole decongestants (e.g. xylometazoline) cough suppressants (e.g. pholcodine) and expectorants (e.g. ipecacuanha), all of which are permitted by the IOC.
Adverse effects
In general, cough and cold preparations are taken for short periods of time and therefore side-effects are limited. However, nasal decongestants are liable to produce rebound congestion if used for more than 1 week. Sedating antihistamines may have adverse effects on performance in most sports.
Antidiarrhoeals
Use in sport
First-line treatment for diarrhoea is oral rehydration therapy (ORT). Antimotility drugs may be used for short-term symptomatic relief of acute diarrhoea if it is likely to affect performance.
Pharmacological action
ORT enhances the absorption of water and replaces electrolytes. Antimotility drugs (codeine, diphenoxylate, loperamide) are opioids with a direct relaxant effect on the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract.
Adverse effects
Tolerance and dependence may develop with prolonged use of antimotility drugs. Loperamide may produce abdominal cramps, drowsiness and skin reactions.
Nutritional supplements
Use in sport
In an attempt to enhance performance through ergogenic aids, without con-travening IOC regulations, many athletes have used nutritional supplements.
The manufacture and sale of nutritional supplements is not as closely regulated as that for drugs. Nutritional supplements may therefore contain banned substances or their precursors, which produce the same metabolites as banned substances in the urine. The use of nutritional supplements may therefore lead to a positive dope test result.
Pharmacological action
Manufacturers may make exaggerated claims regarding the ergogenic properties of their products. There is little, if any, evidence that nutritional supplements possess ergogenic properties in athletes consuming a balanced diet.
Adverse effects
Some nutritional supplements have the potential for harm. Creatine has been the subject of many studies, but results are equivocal as to whether it produces ergogenic effects. There are few reliable scientific data on possible adverse effects of creatine, but its potential effect on renal dysfunction and electrolyte imbalance, leading to a predisposition to dehydration and heat-related illness, suggests caution in its use
Conclusion
The use of anti-inflammatory drug, specifically NSAID has been recommended to help Although NSAID are useful for athletes who is suffering from pain or injuries, sportsmen and women should be aware that using NSAID as treatment might effectively reduce swelling, pain and inflammation. But, the athlete must also think that these drugs have adverse effects and the more they are overusing it the more it will affect their body.
Reference
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (2006). Available at [www.wikipedia.org]. Accessed on [27/04/06].
Rahusen, F.T, Weinhold, P.S. and Almekinders, L.C. (2004). Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Acetiminophen in the treatment of an acute muscle injury. Am J Sports Med. 2004; 32(8):1856-9.
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