Ibuprofren, books and singles advice

[Sandy40]

Hi Great Website!! For you 4.0s and above, if you could provide advice on the following:

1) Ibuprofren before league match? Brad Gilbert recommends you take a few before a match in his book Winning Ugly

2) What is the best book you have read on the mental side of tennis for someone relatively inexperienced, but playing at the 4.0 level (women's)?

3) For someone who has played only doubles (at the 4.0 level) - what advice would you give for playing singles? I realize you serve from the middle of the baseline, but I'm wondering what other big strategic differences there are that a rookie wouldn't know. I think you don't go to the net as much - whereas in doubles you absolutely must go to the net for volleys. . .

Thanks!!

 

[LuckyR]

1- I do every time I step on the court!

2- Depending what you mean by Mental Game, I recommend: The Lure of the Big Game, by Vince Ng

3- I would read: Pressure Tennis, by Paul Wardlaw.

 

[Fedace]

Hi Great Website!! For you 4.0s and above, if you could provide advice on the following:

1) Ibuprofren before league match? Brad Gilbert recommends you take a few before a match in his book Winning Ugly

2) What is the best book you have read on the mental side of tennis for someone relatively inexperienced, but playing at the 4.0 level (women's)?

3) For someone who has played only doubles (at the 4.0 level) - what advice would you give for playing singles? I realize you serve from the middle of the baseline, but I'm wondering what other big strategic differences there are that a rookie wouldn't know. I think you don't go to the net as much - whereas in doubles you absolutely must go to the net for volleys. . .

Thanks!!

This is a good question. Ibuprofen that is, it depends on how many times you play. If you play everyday, that is not a good idea, but if you play 2-3 times a week only, it should be ok. Here is why, there was a study in a reputable medical journal about 4-5 month ago, that if you take Ibuprofen on regular basis and often, you are increasing your risk of developing high blood pressure by 30-45% and this is alot of increase in risk in medical terms. Obviously Brad is not a Doctor.

 

[Sandy40]

Thanks LuckyR and FedAce. I thought for a few moments there that I was getting bagled on my first thread here.

The reason I ask about the Ibuprof - is that I realize it is also a muscle relaxant, so even though the anti-inflammatory aspect is good for performance, I was wondering if the relaxant aspect sorta makes you sleep, if you know what I mean - so slower to react.

Also, how much Ibuprof? I've been taking 2 (400 total). I wonder if I should just take 1. I do feel a difference, especially since I have some fractured bones, which have healed, but are always a slight issue.

Any advice on the whole Singles thing? Or is that just way too broad a topic?

 

[J to tha C]

Erm depends on your own playing style for singles..I prefer to just chase everything down and waiting for something for me to crush.(Im a sorta of baseline couterpuncher)
Anyway find a style you like and that works and good luck!

 

[ps60]

Ibuprofren - i read that book and missed this part ??

i put on Deep heat (rubbing) before every session, just to reduce elbow pain.

 

[pro_staff]

My friend played doubles for the whole season and at the end, I played a match with him and it was....easy to say the least. He would approach on any shot that seemed reasonably deep and/or low. Very easy passing shots. I guess he's used to covering only half the court so he expects my passing shots to go in a limited space. So that's one thing I recommend. Make sure you know how effective your approach shots are for singles before you approach.

About the Ibuprofen thing, I thought it LOWERED blood pressure because it's a blood thinner...or is that wrong?? My doctor also said that it's safe to take Ibuprofen regularly as long as you take something with it to protect the stomach. Am I getting my facts wrong?

 

[J to tha C]

No Iburo- will literally eat away at your stomach lining so make sure you eaten plenty of food.
nd btw cant iburu- cause serious damage and get addictive?
or is that just me being stupid

 

[Fedace]

Thanks LuckyR and FedAce. I thought for a few moments there that I was getting bagled on my first thread here.

The reason I ask about the Ibuprof - is that I realize it is also a muscle relaxant, so even though the anti-inflammatory aspect is good for performance, I was wondering if the relaxant aspect sorta makes you sleep, if you know what I mean - so slower to react.

Also, how much Ibuprof? I've been taking 2 (400 total). I wonder if I should just take 1. I do feel a difference, especially since I have some fractured bones, which have healed, but are always a slight issue.

Any advice on the whole Singles thing? Or is that just way too broad a topic?

Ok dude, i am a health care Professional. and i will tell you right now, Ibuprofen(MOTRIN) is NOT muscle relaxant. It is a antiinflammatory/ pain killer. It dose NOT make you sleepy, and have NO effect on reaction time.

 

[Geezer Guy]

While chatting with my dentist many years ago I mentioned my aches and pains from tennis. He recommended I take 2-3 Ibuprofin's about 2 hours before I play. I did, it helped.

At my next annual physical I mentioned this to my regular doctor, and told him I was playing 3-5 times a week. He said that was fine, but recommended I take the Ibuprofin with a snack or meal. I did, no problems.
After reading a lot of stuff on THIS website about the dangers if Ibuprofin use, I again talked to my regular doctor and ALSO my pharmisist. They both said there was a very slight chance of stomach problems, but really, not at that dosage. And, if you look at the maximum allowable dosage listed on the Ibuprofin package - I'll bet you're nowhere near it, right?

I currently play 4 or 5 times a week (sometimes more) and I take 3 Ibuprofin (with a bagel) about an hour before I play. And I've been doing that for 5+ years. My yearly physicals have uncovered no problems.

If you're still worried ask your doctor your health-related questions, and use this website for your tennis-related questions.

 

[Fedace]

While chatting with my dentist many years ago I mentioned my aches and pains from tennis. He recommended I take 2-3 Ibuprofin's about 2 hours before I play. I did, it helped.

At my next annual physical I mentioned this to my regular doctor, and told him I was playing 3-5 times a week. He said that was fine, but recommended I take the Ibuprofin with a snack or meal. I did, no problems.
After reading a lot of stuff on THIS website about the dangers if Ibuprofin use, I again talked to my regular doctor and ALSO my pharmisist. They both said there was a very slight chance of stomach problems, but really, not at that dosage. And, if you look at the maximum allowable dosage listed on the Ibuprofin package - I'll bet you're nowhere near it, right?

I currently play 4 or 5 times a week (sometimes more) and I take 3 Ibuprofin (with a bagel) about an hour before I play. And I've been doing that for 5+ years. My yearly physicals have uncovered no problems.

If you're still worried ask your doctor your health-related questions, and use this website for your tennis-related questions.

i highly recommend you check your blood pressure about 2-3 times a week and take a average and see if it is going up. and highly recommend full blood work check up 2 times a year. With that much motrin, you are at 30-45% increase in risk of developing high blood pressure.

 

[bad_call]

hola - i recommend u hydrate and stretch before playin singles...cause u will probably be doing some additional running. since i play primarily singles, i may need to ask ur advice if / when i play doubles.

 

[beernutz]

While chatting with my dentist many years ago I mentioned my aches and pains from tennis. He recommended I take 2-3 Ibuprofin's about 2 hours before I play. I did, it helped.

At my next annual physical I mentioned this to my regular doctor, and told him I was playing 3-5 times a week. He said that was fine, but recommended I take the Ibuprofin with a snack or meal. I did, no problems.
After reading a lot of stuff on THIS website about the dangers if Ibuprofin use, I again talked to my regular doctor and ALSO my pharmisist. They both said there was a very slight chance of stomach problems, but really, not at that dosage. And, if you look at the maximum allowable dosage listed on the Ibuprofin package - I'll bet you're nowhere near it, right?

I currently play 4 or 5 times a week (sometimes more) and I take 3 Ibuprofin (with a bagel) about an hour before I play. And I've been doing that for 5+ years. My yearly physicals have uncovered no problems.

If you're still worried ask your doctor your health-related questions, and use this website for your tennis-related questions.

You eat bagels before every match? I can't decide if that is cocky or a bad omen.

 

[Sandy40]

ps60 - Brad Gilbert says he takes it before every match - and recommends GeezerGuy's dosage - I think it is 3 Ibu before every match.

It's the pain killer aspect - does that make you sort of relaxed and loop, if you know what I mean? I play 2 to 3 times a week, and have been taking at least 2 an hour before each match, and I think it's done pretty good. I'm trying to follow Gilbert's advice - so I have been taking the Motrin with a banana - he advises that. He also advises some weird things like jolly ranchers, stuff like that. He also advises the usual - hydration, stretching, etc.

My doc also said - as long as you eat something - you're ok. Also, we're talking 4-6 Motrins in 1 week.

Thanks for the advice on the approach shots - I will likely not be going to net much at all, since I have recently realized that my approach shots are not strong enough and I'm getting passed, even in doubles.

 

[Sandy40]

ps60, He might have called it Advil or motrin, it's all the same thing though. It's in the part about how he prepares for every match.

 

[Geezer Guy]

i highly recommend you check your blood pressure about 2-3 times a week and take a average and see if it is going up. and highly recommend full blood work check up 2 times a year. With that much motrin, you are at 30-45% increase in risk of developing high blood pressure.

None of the health care professionals I've talked to agree with you. My blood pressure is fine, and my lab work comes back normal every year.

 

[LuckyR]

Your mileage may vary. Although Motrin is not a narcotic, there are plenty of folks who complain about drowsiness when they take it. That could definitely effect reaction times. True it is not a muscle relaxant, per se.

BTW if you are in the age group that Geezer and myself are in, you pretty much should be being check for high blood pressure anyway and I am unconvinced that 600mg twice or thrice a week (which is less than the maximum single daily dosage BTW) is going to alter your blood pressure risk much.

 

[Sandy40]

I'm 40, and I do think Motrin makes you a bit loopy - it's got to be the pain killer - which I thought was a muscle relaxant. but it also made my joints feel like they were moving better, and of course with the anti-inflamm/blood thinner, they are, right?

 

[fuzz nation]

Great book: Mental Tennis by Vic Braden

I sometimes take a small dose of anti-inflammatory before I play with no problem, but good stretching habits at the courts and later at home also make a big difference for my recovery.

A big difference between singles and doubles is that singles requires more patience to wait for an opportunity while doubles demands almost constant aggression. Much of the task of singles is just to keep the darn ball in play! If you can spend most of the match hitting deep to your opponent's backhand, life is good. Bring a couple of basic strategies to the match with you - it's always better in either setting to be 'acting' instead of 'reacting'.

 

[Sandy40]

Thanks, Fuzz Nation. Great advice, and I'll get the book.

 

[JavierLW]

My friend played doubles for the whole season and at the end, I played a match with him and it was....easy to say the least. He would approach on any shot that seemed reasonably deep and/or low. Very easy passing shots. I guess he's used to covering only half the court so he expects my passing shots to go in a limited space. So that's one thing I recommend. Make sure you know how effective your approach shots are for singles before you approach.

About the Ibuprofen thing, I thought it LOWERED blood pressure because it's a blood thinner...or is that wrong?? My doctor also said that it's safe to take Ibuprofen regularly as long as you take something with it to protect the stomach. Am I getting my facts wrong?

You should trust your doctor over some random report in a medical journal.

If it does cause higher blood pressure there are likely lots of factors involved that vary from person to person.

I take a lot of Ibuprofen myself, and my blood pressure is great. It does cause high liver function though so I would agree that you dont want to take it every single day, and especially if you drink a lot. (disclaimer: I am not a doctor either though....)

I think if someone isnt have a problem, they should take as little as possible as long as it helps them.

When I played a couple years ago, I had to take 2 liquid gells (well more than 400mg) before the match, and I would even have to take another one if it went to a 3rd set. If I ever forgot to take it before a match it was very noticable.

Then I had a severe ankle injury and after the tons of rehab involved with that, and a regular exercise routine working on my core muscle groups, and after losing 15lbs, I now hardly ever take it right before a match and it's not even an issue.

(I also move better on the court which helps a ton)