Salbutamol and treadmill performance in non-atopic athletes

Salbutamol and treadmill performance in non-atopic athletes. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 15, No. 6, pp. 520-522, 1983. Nineteen aerobic, non-atopic, athletes (10 females, 9 males) were studied in a double-blind fashion to determine the effect of a therapeutic dosage of salbutamol on pulmonary function, oxygen consumption (VO2max), heart rate (HR), and anaerobic threshold (AT). A placebo and salbutamol (in aerosol form) were administered in a dosage of two puffs four times per day. Forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1.0, and mid-maximal expiratory flow were assessed prior to a maximal treadmill run, and at 5, 10, and 15 min of recovery. Resting and maximal HR, VO2max, AT, and VE were determined prior to and immediately after the 1-wk experimental period. Pre-test results showed no evidence of airway obstruction in any athlete. There was no significant change in any pulmonary function variable as a result of salbutamol administration. Maximal oxygen consumption showed a slight, nonsignificant (P greater than 0.05) decrease in both the salbutamol and placebo groups. There was also a similar nonsignificant decrease in pulmonary function in both groups. Resting and maximal HR and AT were unchanged. These results indicate that therapeutic administration of a selective beta-2 agonist does not affect pulmonary function or performance-related variables in non-atopic elite athletes.