Combined inhalation of beta2‐agonists improves swim ergometer sprint performance but not high‐intensity swim performance. Issue 5 (9th July 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kalsen, A.; Hostrup, M.; Bangsbo, J.; Backer, V.
• Is Part Of: Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports. Volume 24:Issue 5(2014)
• Page Start: 814
• Page End: 822
• Publication Date: 2013-07-09
• Subjects: Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- Periodicals; 617.1027
• DOI: 10.1111/sms.12096
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0905-7188

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>There is a high prevalence of asthma and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in elite athletes, which leads to a major use of beta<sub>2</sub>‐agonists. In a randomized double‐blinded crossover study, we investigated the effects of combined inhalation of beta<sub>2</sub>‐agonists (salbutamol, formoterol, and salmeterol), in permitted doses within the World Anti‐Doping Agency 2013 prohibited list, in elite swimmers with (AHR, <italic>n</italic> = 13) or without (non‐AHR, <italic>n</italic> = 17) AHR. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction of m. quadriceps (MVC), sprint performance on a swim ergometer and performance in an exhaustive swim test at 110% of VO<sub>2max</sub> were determined. Venous plasma interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) were measured post‐exercise. No improvement was observed in the exhaustive swim test, but swim ergometer sprint time was improved (<italic>P</italic> < 0.05) in both groups from 57 ± 1.7 to 56 ± 1.8 s in AHR and 58.3 ± 1 to 57.4 ± 1 s in non‐AHR. MVC and post‐exercise plasma IL‐6 increased (<italic>P</italic> < 0.05) with beta<sub>2</sub>‐agonists in both groups, whereas IL‐8 only increased in AHR. In summary, inhalation of beta<sub>2</sub>‐agonists, in permitted doses, did not improve swim performance in elite swimmers. However, swim ergometer sprint performance and MVC were increased, which should be considered when making future anti‐doping regulations.</p> </abstract>