Journal of Sports Science and Medicine

Salbutamol, a short-acting beta-agonist, is a bronchodilator that works by reversing airway smooth muscle bronchoconstriction. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines allow athletes a maximum of 1600 μg inhaled salbutamol; however, there have been no conclusive studies evaluating how this dose affects exercise performance. The current study investigated the use of 1600 μg inhaled salbutamol and its effect on endurance running performance. Using a randomized double-blind design, 7 experienced male runners with no history of asthma inhaled either placebo, salbutamol 800 μg, or salbutamol 1600 μg 15 minutes before a 5-km time trial in either temperate (18ºC) or hot (30ºC) environments. Measured outcomes for each trial included overall time, heart rate, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, minute ventilation, rate of perceived exertion, serum lactate, and urinary salbutamol concentration. The investigators found no difference between placebo, salbutamol 800 μg, or salbutamol 1600 μg in either temperate or hot environments for overall time and all other outcome measures. Additionally, no adverse effects were detected with the use of salbutamol. Study limitations include sample size, variability of amount inhaled through pocket chamber, and body habitus variability. The authors conclude that current WADA guidelines are sufficient to avoid pharmaceutical performance enhancement. (J Sports Sci Med. 2014;13:271–279). J Dickinson, J Hu, N Chester, et al.