For Athletes, Pre-workout Painkillers May Hurt

Taking a painkiller before you hit the track, the soccer field, or the bike path sounds like a smart move if you want to prevent pain and muscle soreness after a workout. But new studies suggest that you could actually be doing the opposite. To look at the effects of self-medicating before exercising, we talk to Gretchen Reynolds, who writes a weekly column for The New York Times Magazine. She also covers fitness for Women’s Health and O, The Oprah Magazine.