Beta-adrenergic blockade and training in human subjects: effects on muscle metabolic capacity

Sixteen male subjects (20-31 yr) trained for 8 wk on cycle ergometers. Eight of the subjects were treated during the training period with the beta-adrenoceptor blocker propranolol (160 mg/day). During all pre-and posttraining tests, subjects were uninfluenced by the medication. Training-induced increases in VO2max and decreases in blood lactate and norepinephrine concentrations at submaximal exercise were not different between the beta-blockade and the placebo groups. The activities of the mitochondrial enzymes citrate synthase (CS), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), cytochrome c oxidase (Cyt-c-ox), and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HAD) in the quadriceps femoris muscle increased significantly (P less than 0.01) with training (beta-blockade group, +47, +33, +38, and 22%; placebo group, +75, 70, +87, and +63%, respectively). Cyt-c-ox and HAD increased significantly more in the placebo group than in the beta-blockade group, while a tendency to an increase was noted for SDH. Muscle capillary density increased similarly (+17-19%) with training in the two groups (P less than 0.01). In conclusion, subjects training under the influence of a therapeutic level of beta-adrenergic blockade show marked increases in both the respiratory capacity and the capillary supply of the engaged skeletal muscles. However, the increase in muscle mitochondrial enzymes may be less apparent than in the normal state.