Abstract des Autors

The beta2-adrenoceptor agonist salbutamol is the most widely used drug to relieve asthmatic problems. However, healthy athletes also take it because of its alleged effects on athletic performance. In this study we investigated the effects of a single, supratherapeutic dose of 800 g of salbutamol (by inhalation) on endurance performance and lung function. Sixteen well-trained, non-asthmatic cyclists and triathletes performed two time trials on a Lode Excalibur cycle ergometer in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled cross-over design. Inhalation of salbutamol improved the average time to completion of the time trial compared to placebo (3927.6+/-231.3 versus 4010.3+/-327.7 seconds, respectively; p<0.03). Forced ventilatory capacity (FVC) was not affected by salbutamol. After inhalation of salbutamol the peak expiratory flow increased at rest and was still increased after the time trial. The one-second value of forced expiratory volume (FEV1), and the ratio FEV1/FVC also improved after inhalation of salbutamol. We conclude that a single, supratherapeutic dose of 800 g salbutamol by inhalation may improve endurance performance and expiratory flow in non-asthmatic, well-trained endurance athletes. Verf.-Referat