The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of a selective serotonin
(5-HT) reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) on exercise performance during a 90 min time trial.
Eight well trained male cyclists (V˙O2max 68.1 ± 9.5 ml/kg/min) performed three 90 min time trials at 65 % Wattmax. Blood samples were collected via an indwelling venous catheter for adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), prolactin (PRL),
cortisol, catecholamines, growth hormone (GH) and beta-endorphins. The evening before
and the morning of the time trials, the subjects ingested a capsule containing either
placebo (lactose) or 20 mg Fluoxetine-HCl (Prozac®, Ely Lilly Belgium). A double blind, randomized, placebo controlled, cross-over design
was performed. Performance was not influenced by the SSRI. As expected, all blood
parameters increased significantly during exercise (p < 0.05). During the SSRI trial
most parameters were slightly lower but only significantly for endorphins and PRL
(p < 0.05). The results demonstrate that performance is not influenced by an SSRI,
although some plasma hormones indicate a central effect of the drug. Surprisingly,
the increases in PRL and endorphins were lower during the SSRI trial, meaning that
the hormonal modulation during exercise might be regulated by the interaction between
neurotransmitters rather than by serotonin alone.
Key words:
Central fatigue, neurotransmitters, time trial, fluoxetine, serotonin.
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Prof. Dr. Romain Meeusen
Department of Human Physiology and Sportsmedicine
Free University Brussel
Pleinlaan 2
1050 Brussels
Belgium
Phone: Phone:+32 (2) 6292222
Fax: Fax:+32 (2) 6292876
Email: email:rmeeusen@vub.ac.be
