Athletes using asthma medications called β2-agonists win a disproportionately high number of medals at Olympic Games. Due to a large variety in the genes that affect how individuals respond to β2-agonists, the investigators will look at variations in the genetic response to these medications by dividing athletes into high-responders and low-responders. The investigators will then compare athletic performance after the inhalation of β2-agonists to placebo. Furthermore, the investigators will analyze the effect of β2-agonists on breathing mechanics. Due to differences in their anatomy females may decrease the energy needed for breathing during high-intensity exercise to a greater extent compared to male athletes after the inhalation of β2-agonists.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
94
60 minutes prior to the start of a 10km cycling time trial on a bike ergometer, subjects will inhale either 400ug of salbutamol 1600ug of salbutamol or 400ug of placebo in a randomly assigned manner in a single dose.
Environmental Physiology Laboratory, University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
The effect of inhaled salbutamol on mean power output during cycling performance in female and male athletes
Athletes perform a two time trials, each on a separate day. The time trials are performed 60min after the inhalation of salbutamol or placebo.
Time frame: Mean power output is assessed over the duration of a 10km time trial (start of time trial until completion of time trial) on a bike ergometer.
The effect of inhaled salbutamol on work of breathing (WOB) and expiratory flow limitation (EFL) in female and male athletes
EFL and WOB will be assessed with the help of an esophageal balloon and mouth pressure.
Time frame: WOB and EFL will be assessed during an incremental exercise test. Exercise will start at 0 Watts and will then be increased every 2.5min by 30 Watts until maximal exertion.
The effect of inhaled salbutamol on minute ventilation in asthmatic and non-asthmatic trained, female and male cyclists
Time frame: Minute ventilation will be assessed during two 10km time trials (one time trial will be started 60min after the inhalation of salbutamol, the second time trial will be started 60min after the inhalation of placebo).
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