Effects of inhaled salbutamol in exercising non-asthmatic athletes

Abstract

Background-Beta-2 agonists such as salbutamol are used, not only by asthmatic athletes to prevent exercise induced asthma, but also by non-asthmatic athletes as a potentially ergogenic agent. We have investigated whether inhaled salbutamol enhances endurance performance in non-asthmatic athletes. Methods-A prospective double blind, randomised, three way crossover design was used to study the eVects of 200 µg and 800 µg inhaled salbutamol versus a placebo in 12 trained triathletes. The treatments were compared in three identical cycle ergometer sessions at 85% of the predetermined maximal oxygen uptake. Lung function, endurance time, metabolic parameters (glucose, potassium, lactate, free fatty acid, and glycerol), and psychomotor performance were evaluated. Results-Neither endurance time nor post-exercise bronchodilation were significantly diVerent between the treatments. Metabolic parameters were aVected by exercise but not by treatment. Conclusions-Inhaled salbutamol, even in a high dose, did not have a significant eVect on endurance performance in nonasthmatic athletes, although the bronchodilating eVect of the drug at the beginning of exercise may have improved respiratory adaptation. Our results do not preclude an ergogenic eVect of 2 agonists given by other routes or for a longer period. (Thorax 2001;56:675-679)

Effect of salbutamol on the cardiovascular response in healthy subjects at rest, during physical exercise, and in recovery phase: a randomized, double-blind, crossover study

“…Blood pressure and perception of effort during exercise and recovery did not change significantly between interventions that are similar to the results observed by Freeman el al 28 . As in previous studies, salbutamol induced significant bronchodilation in healthy subjects 34,35,36 . However, this improvement have no ergogenic effect 37 .…”

Salbutamol effects on systemic potassium dynamics during and following intense continuous and intermittent exercise

“…Similarly, after salbutamol inhalation (800 µg), there was no further change in antecubital venous [K + ] at 2-10 min after exhaustive cycling at 85% VO 2peak (Goubault et al 2001). Alternately, inhaled terbutaline reduced antecubital venous [K + ] at 10 min after an incremental TM test (Larsson et al 1997) and immediately after repeated 30 s cycle ergometer sprints through to 60 min in recovery (Hostrup et al 2014b were higher after terbutaline (Hallen et al 1996).…”

“…The placebo was delivered by a similar metered dose inhaler containing the propellant only (Allen and Hanburys, Melbourne, Australia). The 1000 µg salbutamol dose was utilised to modulate K + homeostasis and enhance intense intermittent exercise performance, as this fell comfortably within the WADA limit of 1600 µg.d -1 salbutamol by inhalation (WADA 2016) exceeded the 600 µg.d -1 typically recommended for asthmatic athletes and the 800 µg previously used for submaximal exercise (Goubault et al 2001). …”

“…Potassium clearance during exercise also occurs via uptake by other non-contracting or relatively inactive muscles, and also splanchnic K + uptake (Lindinger 1995;Sejersted and Sjøgaard 2000;Clausen 2003 (Hostrup et al 2014a;Collomp et al 2000;Grove et al 1995;Newnham et al 1993;Van Baak et al 2000), or in samples drawn only after completion of, rather than during exercise (Hostrup et al 2014a;Kalsen et al 2014;Hostrup et al 2014b;Larsson et al 1997;Grove et al 1995); and/or utilised oral salbutamol (Collomp et al 2000;Van Baak et al 2000;Hostrup et al 2014a;Goubault et al 2001 after prolonged cycling to exhaustion (Van Baak et al 2000), or at 5-10 min recovery after repeated 30 s sprints or repeated bouts of high intensity cycling, although greater reductions were evident at 1 or 2 min after some individual bouts (Hostrup et al 2014a). Similarly, after salbutamol inhalation (800 µg), there was no further change in antecubital venous [K + ] at 2-10 min after exhaustive cycling at 85% VO 2peak (Goubault et al 2001).…”

The Impact of Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction on Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review

“…To date, only one study has addressed the impact of inhaled short acting beta2-agonists versus placebo on central nervous system parameters [45]. Whilst no differences were observed on psychometric visual analogue scales and psychomotor performance tests between treatments, the cohort consisted of non-asthmatic trained triathletes (n = 23) (mean VO2max: 58 mL .…”