The effect of beta-blockade in ski-jumpers

Nine ski-jumpers from the Finnish Olympic team were given 40 mg of oxprenolol or placebo on a cross-over double-blind basis when participating in four internal competitions. Six ski-jumpers improved their performances when on oxprenolol. The improvement was mainly seen in the lengthening of the jumps. The tachycardia, apparently evoked by the emotional and physical strain associated with the actual jump, approached rather extreme levels (up to 170 beats/min) immediately after landing. The enhancement in the heart rate was effectively prevented by a gentle beta-blockade. The most common unwanted effect recorded was numbness in the legs after climbing up to the tower platform, reported 9 times out of 18 possible occasions after oxprenolol but never after placebo. The fact that three of the jumpers (out of 9) performed worse when on oxprenolol makes the toxic/benefit ratio (1:2) unacceptably high for the medication.