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Homeopathy 2003; 92(04): 187-189
DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2003.03.001
Original Paper
Copyright ©The Faculty of Homeopathy 2003

Effect of Arnica D30 in marathon runners. Pooled results from two double-blind placebo controlled studies

D Tveiten
1   Bærumsveien 451, 1346 Gjettum, Norway
,
S Bruset
2   Lierskogen Legekontor, 3420 Lierskogen, Norway
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received24 June 2002
revised14 February 2003

accepted20 March 2003

Publication Date:
12 December 2017 (online)

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Abstract

Objective: To examine whether the homeopathic medicine Arnica D30 has an effect on muscle soreness and cell damage after marathon running.

Methods: The subjects were 82 marathon runners from two separate randomised double-blind placebo controlled trials participating in the Oslo Marathon in 1990 and 1995. Five pills of Arnica D30 or placebo were given morning and evening. Treatment started on the evening before the marathon and continued on day of the race and the three following days. The runners assessed muscular soreness on a visual analogue scale. Muscle enzymes, electrolytes and creatinine were measured before and after the marathon.

Results: Muscle soreness immediately after the marathon run was lower in the Arnica group than in the placebo group (P=0.04). Cell damage measured by enzymes was similar in the Arnica and the placebo group.

Conclusion: These pooled results suggest that Arnica D30 has a positive effect on muscle soreness after marathon running, but not on cell damage measured by enzymes.

Keywords

Arnica - marathon - muscle soreness - muscle damage - Oslo
 

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