Can Anti-asthmatic Medication Improve Sprint Performance in Healthy Endurance Athletes?
Status:
Not yet recruiting
Trial end date:
2023-12-20
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The prevalence of asthma among athletes is higher than in the normal population and endurance
athletes are especially at increased risk. The gold standard for asthma treatment is inhaled
glucocorticoids with inhaled beta2 agonists before exercise and as a symptom relief. However,
the use of beta2 agonists in sports is debated because of potential performance-enhancing
effects and its use is regulated by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The potential performance-enhancing effect of beta2 agonists on endurance performance and
sprint performance has each been investigated in several studies as it has been suspected
that non-asthmatic athletes use beta2 agonists for the purpose of improving performance. In
conclusion, beta2 agonists do not improve endurance athletic performance in the doses and
methods of use permitted by WADA. When it comes to anaerobic performance, the evidence is
currently non-conclusive as studies report conflicting effects. It is therefore conceivable
that beta2 agonists can improve the ability to sprint and increase power output during short
periods of high energy expenditure during an endurance competition. By testing such anaerobic
skills during endurance work in athletes, this study will provide valuable knowledge about
whether this drug may affect sports performance and will be of interest to WADA and anyone
else interested in fair play in sports.
The purpose of the project is to investigate whether the use of a WADA approved dose of
salbutamol (albuterol/Ventoline) has a performance-enhancing effect on sprint performance
during and after endurance work on an ergometer bike. Well-trained cyclists who do not have
asthma will perform two identical cycling protocols on two different days. The study is
designed as a double-blind cross-over study with placebo. Participants will perform multiple
30-second sprints during a standard submaximal effort to investigate the effect of salbutamol
on the maximum and average power of these sprints.