The Effects of Albuterol on Power Output in Non-Asthmatic Athletes

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the β₂-agonist albuterol (salbutamol) at twice the normal dosage (360 mg) on power output during a 30-second Wingate test and pulmonary function in highly trained cyclists (4 category I and 10 category II U.S.C.F. track cyclists). The cyclists did not have a history of exercise induced bronchial spasms, and a 5 step methacholine challenge confirmed all subjects to be non-asthmatic. The project was performed in a random block, double blind design. Twenty minutes before the 30-second Wingate cycle ergometer exercise, albuterol (90μg per dose) or a saline placebo was administered by inhaler in 4 metered doses. Pulmonary function tests were performed at rest, 20 minutes post-inhalation, and 5, 10, 15 minutes post-exercise. After a standard warmup, a 30-second Wingate anaerobic power test was performed on a cycle ergometer at a resistance of 0.10 kg (kg body mass)^-1. Multi-variate ANOVA revealed no significant difference between the albuterol and placebo treatment for the anaerobic power measures: peak power (1,136.7 ± 40.9 vs 1,124.8 ± 39.8 W, mean± s.e.), total work (27,213.6 ± 653.1 vs 27,093.3 ± 677.4 J), time to peak power (4.5 ± 0.2 vs 4.8 ± 0.5 s), and fatigue index (16.5 ± 1.8 vs 16.6 ± 1.8 W · s^-1). Peak heart rate (181.6 ± 3.7 vs 181.4 ± 3.8 bpm), or blood lactate (14.0 ± 0.9 vs 13.8 ± 0.8 mmol · l^-1) 3 min after the exercise bout were not significantly different between treatments. FEV₁ , FEF_{25 - 75 %}, and PEF were significantly higher after albuterol administration as compared to the placebo trail after inhalation and post-exercise at several time points. There was no significant difference for the albuterol as compared to the placebo trial for FVC. The data indicate that in non-asthmatic, well-trained cyclists anaerobic power measures during a 30-second Wingate anaerobic power test are not affected. However, pulmonary function measures may be enhanced due to administration of albuterol.

Key words

Albuterol - salbutamol - Wingate - short-term power output - beta-2 agonist - ergogenic aid