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Inhaled beta2 agonists and performance in competitive athletes.
1Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, University of Saarland, Saarbrücken, Germany. w.kindermann@mx.uni-saarland.de
British Journal of Sports Medicine
|June 27, 2006
Summary
Inhaled beta2 agonists do not enhance performance in non-asthmatic athletes. This review suggests reconsidering their inclusion on prohibited substance lists due to lack of ergogenic effects.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Inhaled beta2 agonists are commonly used for asthma management.
- Their use in non-asthmatic athletes raises questions about potential performance enhancement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on inhaled beta2 agonists in non-asthmatic athletes.
- To evaluate the ergogenic effects of these substances.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was conducted.
- Twenty randomized, placebo-controlled studies were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Only three studies suggested a performance-enhancing effect.
- These findings were attributed to methodological limitations, including non-elite athlete populations and inconsistent results.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence indicates no ergogenic potential of inhaled beta2 agonists in non-asthmatic athletes.
- The necessity of including inhaled beta2 agonists on prohibited substance lists warrants reconsideration.