Abstract

Objectives: To determine the effect of prophylactic treatment with an inhaled bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory on arterial saturation (Sao₂) in trained non-asthmatic male athletes with exercise induced arterial hypoxaemia (EIAH).

Methods: Nine male athletes (mean (SD) age 26.3 (6.7) years, height 182.6 (7.9) cm, weight 79.3 (10.5) kg, Vo₂max 62.3 (6.3) ml/kg/min, Sao₂min 92.5 (1.1)%) with no history of asthma were tested in two experimental conditions. A combination of a therapeutic dose of salbutamol and fluticasone or an inert placebo was administered in a randomised crossover design for seven days before maximal cycling exercise. Oxygen consumption (Vo₂), ventilation (Ve), heart rate (HR), power output, and Sao₂ were monitored during the exercise tests.

Results: There were no significant differences between the drug (D) and placebo (P) conditions for minimal Sao₂ (D  =  93.6 (1.4), P  =  93.0 (1.1)%; p  =  0.93) Vo₂max (D  =  61.5 (7.2), P  =  61.9 (6.3) ml/kg/min; p  =  0.91), peak power (D  =  444.4 (48.3), P  =  449.4 (43.9) W; p  =  0.90), peak Ve (D  =  147.8 (19.1), P  =  149.2 (15.5) litres/min; p  =  0.82), or peak heart rate (D  =  182.3 (10.0), P  =  180.8 (5.5) beats/min; p  =  0.76).

Conclusions: A therapeutic dose of salbutamol and fluticasone did not attenuate EIAH during maximal cycling in a group of trained male non-asthmatic athletes.