Inhaled salbutamol does not affect athletic performance in asthmatic and non-asthmatic cyclists. Issue 1 (7th October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koch, Sarah; MacInnis, Martin J; Sporer, Benjamin C; Rupert, James L; Koehle, Michael S
• Is Part Of: British journal of sports medicine. Volume 49:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 51
• Page End: 55
• Publication Date: 2013-10-07
• Subjects: Cardiovascular -- Cycling -- Doping -- Elite performance -- Respiratory; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; 617.1027
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2013-092706
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-3674

Abstract

Abstract : Rationale: Salbutamol may affect lung function and exercise performance differently in individuals with and without asthma. Objectives: To compare the effects of inhaled salbutamol on lung function, exercise performance and respiratory parameters during cycling exercise in athletes with a positive response to a eucapnic voluntary hyperpnoea (EVH+) and negative (EVH−) challenge, indicative of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Methods: In a randomised controlled trial with a crossover design, a total of 49 well-trained male athletes (14 EVH+ and 35 EVH−) performed two simulated 10 km time-trials on a cycle ergometer 60 min after the inhalation of either 400 μg of salbutamol or a placebo. Lung function, assessed by forced expiratory volume in 1 s, was measured immediately before and 30 min after inhalation. Performance was measured by mean power output. Measurements & main results: Despite a significant increase in lung function after the inhalation of salbutamol compared to the placebo (p<0.001), salbutamol did not affect athletes' perceptions of dyspnoea (p>0.05) or leg exertion (p>0.05) during exercise. Salbutamol did not affect mean power output: EVH+ and EVH− athletes averaged 4.0 (0.5) and 4.1 (0.5) W/kg after salbutamol and 4.0 (0.5) W/kg and 4.0 (0.4) W/kg after placebo, respectively (p>0.05 for each comparison). Conclusions: The inhalation of salbutamol induced a significant increase in resting lung function in EVH+ and EVH− athletes but this improvement in lung function did not translate to improved exercise performance. Salbutamol had no discernible effect on key ventilatory and exercise parameters regardless of EVH challenge outcome.