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Taking a paracetamol before working out can stop people from overheating, according to a new study.

The study published in Experimental Physiology finds that the drug helps in exercising for longer duration in hot conditions by reducing the impact of heart exertion.

As a part of the study, 11 young recreational exercisers were given three exercise challenges. They consumed single doses of paracetamol before cycling. The results obtained proved that the drug allowed them to cycle significantly longer at 30C- by an average of four minutes.

‘Firstly, consideration by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and local anti-doping authorities should be made about the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in sport - on both health and performance grounds. Secondly, the utility of paracetamol as a first-response drug to exertional heat illness should be investigated,’ said Dr. Lex Mauger, who let the study at The University of Kent’s School of Sport and Exercise Sciences.

Also to note that the same research team have previously shown that paracetamol can improve endurance performance through a reduction in exercise-induced pain.

‘Whilst we have found that paracetamol improves the time someone can exercise in the heat, and that this occurs alongside a reduced body temperature, we did not measure the specific mechanisms by which this may have occurred,’ Dr Mauger also added.

On an average, they completed this time trial 30 seconds faster after taking the drug than when they performed after taking placebo.

The study certainly gives a new apprehension into the effects of paracetamol especially on endurance exercise. Further studies hope to determine by which mechanisms this takes place.