#United States #Chicago #Pain Relief #Menthol #Biofreeze

Oxford University's Groundbreaking Study on Biofreeze

In a pioneering study from Oxford University, researchers investigating pain relief solutions at the recent Chicago Marathon found that Biofreeze, a topical menthol product, has the potential to provide runners with rapid pain relief. The study, led by Dr. Rebeccah Slater, Statutory Professorial Chair at the University of Oxford, focused on a significant aspect of athletic pain management, demonstrating that Biofreeze could lessen pain intensity in less than 10 seconds for a majority of runners.

This first-of-its-kind study forms a crucial addition to the evolving understanding of pain management strategies in real-world athletic scenarios. Out of the 192 marathon runners surveyed immediately after finishing the race, a staggering 70% felt a notable reduction in pain, achieving a decrease of 35% on their visual analog scales (from about 6 to 4 points on a scale ranging from 0 to 10). The results, presented at PAINWeek, demonstrate how topical menthol can offer effective relief to athletes in intense environments where pain management is crucial.

Dr. Slater noted that the research underscores the importance of assessing pain relief solutions outside of clinical labs, preferring settings that reflect the actual challenges athletes face. “From an evidence perspective, the findings provide real-world data from a large group of recreational runners doing a real activity alongside elite athletes,” Dr. Slater explained.

Key Findings of the Study

The findings also revealed some interesting patterns related to gender and pain experiences among the marathon participants:

• - Recovery Aid: An impressive 89% of the respondents noted that using menthol on their skin helped them recover more effectively.
• - Gender Differences: Female participants were observed to suffer more from knee and hip pains, while male runners reported higher average pain scores. These insights add depth to our understanding of pain experiences across genders, suggesting that tailored strategies may be necessary to manage pain effectively in diverse populations.

The Biofreeze study stands out as it challenges the traditional methods of pain research methodology, which often occurs in controlled environments devoid of real-time pressures athletes face during events. This pivotal shift brings forth a more accurate representation of how pain relief products function in actual competitive scenarios, giving athletes and trainers vital knowledge to optimize performance and recovery practices.

Importance of the Study’s Context

Conducting such research during a prominent event like the Chicago Marathon has set a precedent for future studies. The findings not only validate runners' anecdotal experiences with the product but also position Biofreeze as a pioneering brand in functional pain relief within marathon settings. As stated by Mark Pearson, Global Vice President of Wellness at Reckitt,