Acetaminophen and Exercise Performance in Type 1 Diabetes: What New Research Shows

Researchers wanted to learn how acetaminophen—a common over-the-counter pain reliever—might affect muscle fatigue during repeated, intense muscle contractions. The study included 11 men with Type 1 diabetes and 11 men without diabetes, all of whom performed 60 maximum voluntary contractions of their thigh muscles.

Participants took either 1 gram of acetaminophen or a placebo 60 minutes before exercising. Neither the participants nor the researchers knew who received which treatment. The team measured how much force each person's muscles could produce and how muscle activation changed before and after the exercise.

When taking acetaminophen compared to placebo, both groups showed increases in muscle activation and the amount of force their muscles could sustain during repeated contractions. In people with Type 1 diabetes, muscle activation increased by 21% and sustained force increased by 8%. In people without diabetes, these increases were larger—40% and 19%, respectively.

The amount of extra work the muscles could perform above a baseline level was similar between acetaminophen and placebo in both groups, with no meaningful difference.

This research suggests that acetaminophen may influence how muscles work during intense exercise, and that this effect appears somewhat different in people with Type 1 diabetes. However, this was a small study conducted in a laboratory setting with a specific type of exercise. The findings cannot be directly applied to everyday activities or exercise routines.

It's important to note that this study does not address whether taking acetaminophen before exercise is safe, effective, or recommended for people with Type 1 diabetes. Anyone considering taking acetaminophen or any other medication in relation to exercise should discuss it with their healthcare provider.

Source: Experimental physiology. Evidence type: PubMed indexed literature. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.