[Physical performance capacity, metabolism and hormonal behavior as affected by diltiazem]

After giving their informed consent, 16 healthy male physical education students received daily dose of 3 X 60 mg diltiazem or placebo respectively in a double-blind cross-over experimental set-up for consecutive test phases of 3 weeks each. The behaviour of physical performance capacity, metabolism and hormones under diltiazem was investigated during incremental performance tests and during continuous endurance tests on the treadmill. Maximum performance capacity and maximum oxygen uptake as well as endurance capacity remained uninfluenced. Under maximum as well as under lower work loads heart rates were reduced by 3-10 beats/min. Carbohydrate and lipid metabolism including the lipoproteins as well as HGH, cortisol and insulin showed the same behaviour under diltiazem and placebo. Adrenaline and noradrenaline in blood plasma also remained uninfluenced. An impairment of physical performance capacity under diltiazem is not to be expected. This finding is of major importance for persons treated with diltiazem who engage in sport.