DOES SINGLE-DOSE SALMETEROL AFFECT EXERCISE CAPACITY IN ASTHMATIC MEN

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the long-acting beta- agonist salmeterol affects athletic performance in patients with asthm a. The effect of 50 mu g salmeterol on the cardiorespiratory responses to a progressive maximal cycle exercise test and on endurance capacit y (defined as the exercise duration at 70% maximum oxygen uptake), was compared with 200 mu g salbutamol and a matched placebo in eight asth matic men. Both salmeterol and salbutamol improved pre- and postexerci se forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) for maximal and end urance exercise. Following active treatment, patients exercised from a significantly high baseline FEV(1), with both salmeterol (358 (1.16) l) (mean (so)) and salbutamol (3.55 (1.24) l) compared with placebo (3 .29 (1.35) l). Similar improvements preceded endurance exercise. Cardi orespiratory, haemodynamic or subjective responses to the progressive maximum exercise tests were not different with salmeterol, salbutamol or placebo, nor did endurance capacity change with any treatment modal ity. Blood lactate levels, after 15 min exercise, were significantly h igher with salbutamol (3.64 (1.83) mM), but not with salmeterol (3.03 (1.64) mM), compared with placebo (2.95 (1.69) mM). These results demo nstrate the absence of significant cardiorespiratory or metabolic effe cts during exercise after a single dose of salmeterol, together with a lack-of ergogenic effect, as measured by maximal or endurance exercis e performance, in patients with asthma.