https://journals.humankinetics.com/d...jspp.2018-0921


If athletes without asthma sufferers take Formoterol or Salmeterol by inhalation for 5 weeks their sprint performance improves. It is reported by sports scientists affiliated to the University of Kent in their study that will soon be published in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance.

The researchers recruited 38 athletes you have been trained for strength and sprint 3 times a week for 5 weeks. Each strength training consisted of a Full Body with exercises like Lunges, Squats, Leg Press, Leg-Curl, Chest and Shoulder Press, Shoulder Dumbbell Raise and exercises for biceps and triceps. The sprint training, on the other hand, consisted in shooting 5 times over a distance of 5-10 meters.

The researchers divided the subjects examined into 3 groups. The "placebo" group inhaled water spray twice a day, while the other two experimental groups inhaled Formoterol or Salmeterol. These two molecules are long-acting beta-2-agonists. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) allows asthmatic athletes to use 54mcg of Formoterol or 200mcg of Salmeterol daily.

Inhalation of Salmeterol or Formoterol at therapeutic doses had no effect on the strength of the subjects examined, as shown in the table below. The molecules, with this mode of intake and dosage, had no effect on body composition.

However, the two molecules used with this mode of intake and dosage had a positive effect in the subjects treated in the 30m sprint times.

This study was the first to show that therapeutic doses of Salmeterol or Formoterol, taken by inhalation for five weeks and in combination with strength and sprint training, could improve sprint performance in the 30m range.

The researchers say that, at the moment, I am unable to conclude that similar effects occur with the same doses even in highly trained athletes. Therefore, the antidoping could commission further investigations in order to verify if highly trained athletes can experience a similar ergogenic action following inhalation of Formoterol or Salmeterol at therapeutic dosages.

The researchers continue by saying that these studies should be conducted before modifying the WADA lists. However, the results obtained suggest that more careful monitoring of the use of long-acting beta-2 agonists by athletes in and out of competition should be considered.