Effect of topical timolol maleate on exercise performance

The effect of topical timolol maleate on exercise performance was investigated in a randomized double-blind study. Healthy young subjects underwent two graded maximal exercise evaluations on a treadmill. The evaluations were given one week apart. Before each trial, the subjects were given a single drop of either placebo or 0.5% timolol maleate in each eye. The results indicate that topical timolol has a statistically significant effect on both maximal heart rate and time to exhaustion. However, we found that the drug had no effect on the physiologic parameters of Vo2, respiratory rate, Vco2, or respiratory quotient.