Combined inhalation of beta2 -agonists improves swim ergometer sprint performance but not high-intensity swim performance

29 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

There is a high prevalence of asthma and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in elite athletes, which leads to a major use of beta2-agonists. In a randomized double-blinded crossover study, we investigated the effects of combined inhalation of beta2-agonists (salbutamol, formoterol, and salmeterol), in permitted doses within the World Anti-Doping Agency 2013 prohibited list, in elite swimmers with (AHR, n=13) or without (non-AHR, n=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 VO2max 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 (P<0.05) in both groups from 57±1.7 to 56±1.8s in AHR and 58.3±1 to 57.4±1s in non-AHR. MVC and post-exercise plasma IL-6 increased (P<0.05) with beta2-agonists in both groups, whereas IL-8 only increased in AHR. In summary, inhalation of beta2-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.

Original languageEnglish
JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports
Volume24
Issue number5
Pages (from-to)814-822
Number of pages9
ISSN0905-7188
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2014

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