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Exercise metabolism and beta-blocker therapy. An update
1Department of Sport Sciences, Brunel University, Isleworth, England.
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
|March 26, 1999
Summary
Beta-blockers can limit exercise capacity by affecting heart rate and energy metabolism. Beta 1-selective drugs may offer advantages for cardiovascular patients engaging in physical activity.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Exercise Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Beta-blockers and exercise programs aim to improve cardiovascular disease patients' quality of life.
- Medications can impede physical capacity or motivation for exercise.
- Understanding physiological limitations is crucial for concurrent treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the physiological limitations to prolonged aerobic exercise in patients using beta-blockers.
- To compare the effects of different beta-blocker types on exercise performance.
- To identify optimal beta-blocker prescribing strategies for active individuals.
Main Methods:
- Review of physiological factors affecting exercise tolerance during beta-blocker therapy.
- Discussion of nonselective vs. beta 1-selective beta-blockers.
- Analysis of drugs with beta 2-agonist properties and their impact.
Main Results:
- Beta-blockers can reduce heart rate, cardiac output, and alter blood flow, impacting exercise.
- Key limitations include changes in glycogenolysis and lipolysis.
- Beta-blocker use attenuates the normal increase in fat oxidation during prolonged exercise.
Conclusions:
- Beta 1-selective beta-blockers are physiologically advantageous over nonselective ones for active individuals.
- Controlled-release formulations may offer further benefits.
- Drugs with partial agonist properties at beta 2 receptors might provide additional advantages.