Effect of Salbutamol on Neuromuscular Function in Endurance Athletes

Abstract

Supratherapeutic inhaled doses of β2-agonists increased quadriceps endurance during an incremental and localized fatiguing task in healthy endurance-trained athletes without significant effect on neuromuscular fatigue. Further studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms.

High-dose inhaled terbutaline increases muscle strength and enhances maximal sprint performance in trained men

“…Nevertheless, our observations of higher Wingate power output after inhalation of high-dose terbutaline are also consistent with recent findings from Kalsen et al (2013) in which inhalation of three different beta 2 -agonists in combination increased arm ergometer sprint performance in elite swimmers (Kalsen et al 2013). Furthermore, Decorte et al (2013) recently observed increased quadriceps muscle endurance following inhalation of 800 µg salbutamol (Decorte et al 2013). Based on the present study along with the studies by Decorte et al (2013) and Kalsen et al (2013), supratherapeutic inhalation of beta 2 -agonists elicits a high systemic response that can be performance enhancing.…”

“…Furthermore, Decorte et al (2013) recently observed increased quadriceps muscle endurance following inhalation of 800 µg salbutamol (Decorte et al 2013). Based on the present study along with the studies by Decorte et al (2013) and Kalsen et al (2013), supratherapeutic inhalation of beta 2 -agonists elicits a high systemic response that can be performance enhancing. In future studies, it would therefore be interesting to examine whether lower doses of inhaled terbutaline or salbutamol could increase supramaximal performance.…”

“…Likewise, Heir and Stemshaug (1995) reported a close to significant reduction in endurance time at 110 % of V O 2max following nebulization of 0.05 mg kg −1 salbutamol (Carlsen et al 1997;Heir and Stemshaug 1995). Nonetheless, the recent studies by Decorte et al (2013) and Kalsen et al (2013) could suggest that effects of beta 2 -agonists might vary depending on the muscle groups activated (i.e., wholebody exercise vs. isolated muscle contractions). Indeed, quadriceps muscle endurance was shown by Decorte et al (2013) to be increased with inhalation of 800 µg salbutamol during incremental and localized fatiguing submaximal contractions in endurance-trained athletes.…”

“…Nonetheless, the recent studies by Decorte et al (2013) and Kalsen et al (2013) could suggest that effects of beta 2 -agonists might vary depending on the muscle groups activated (i.e., wholebody exercise vs. isolated muscle contractions). Indeed, quadriceps muscle endurance was shown by Decorte et al (2013) to be increased with inhalation of 800 µg salbutamol during incremental and localized fatiguing submaximal contractions in endurance-trained athletes. Lastly, as discussed above, the administered dose along with training status of included subjects and muscle type investigated might explain some of the discrepancies in the literature.…”

The Impact of Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction on Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review

“…However, lung function increased significantly following administration of salbutamol versus placebo suggesting some of the subjects may have had undiagnosed airway obstruction. More recently, Decorte et al [56] observed an increase in muscular endurance following the inhalation of 800 µg salbutamol. Similarly, Kalsen et al [30] showed an improvement in arm ergometer sprint performance and muscle strength following the inhalation of high doses of beta2-agonists in elite swimmers with and without airway hyperresponsiveness.…”