Abstract

The effect of acute unselective (propranolol) and beta1-selective (atenolol) beta-adrenoceptor blockade was studied on alpine skiing in six leisure and seven elite skiers. Prior to the skiing tests a short time all out cycle ergometer test (Wingate muscle power test) was performed to confirm whether a beta-blocking effect (80 mg propranolol and 100 mg atenolol orally) was present or not. Peak and average power of the Wingate test showed an impairment in the order of 4 -6 . Peak blood lactate was only reduced after propranolol. During leisure skiing under submaximal exercise conditions peak blood lactate was increased as compared to placebo, but rated perceived exertion (RPE) was unchanged as well as the estimated skiing technique. The elite skiers showed prolonged performance times after beta-blockade and in the case of propranolol also reduced peak and mean blood lactates. It is suggested that during intense exercise propranolol reduced lactate formation, which is in line with previous reports. This might impair short time, explosive type muscular exercise. If there is a risk factor for injury during beta-blockade and alpine skiing, it might be connected to the impaired performance and metabolism in relation to intense exercise and propranolol treatment. Verf.-Referat