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• The effects of beta 2 agonists on aerobic performance in healthy adults – implications for PED rules
  Conor P O'Brien
  Published on: 24 August 2021

• Published on: 24 August 2021

  The effects of beta 2 agonists on aerobic performance in healthy adults – implications for PED rules

  • Conor P O'Brien, Medical Consultant Blackrock Clinic Dublin.Former Chairperson of the Irish Anti-Doping Comitteee, .Former WADA TUE committee member

  Dear Sir/Madam
  Riiser’s et al paper outlines the long-held belief that beta 2 agonists do not improve aerobic function in a healthy population. Beta 2 agonist however have other performance enhancing affects. Clenbuterol, the beta 2 agonist is a case in point. This drug has been used by athletes for decades to burn fat, through metabolic up regulation. This beta 2 agonist drug is also suggested to improved muscle growth through its effects on protein synthesis. It is hypostasised that Clenbuterol induces phosphorylation of mTOR which resulting in enhanced muscle protein synthesis.
  Drugs are banned in sport based on the presence of 2 of 3 criteria: 1) Performance enhancing. 2) Dangerous to health 3) Against the ethos of sport.
  While Beta 2 agonist may not improve aerobic function, they can be performance enhancing. They also carry significant side effects in unsupervised hands. The ethos of sport is perhaps a moot point.
  Anti-Doping began in earnest in 1967 following the death of a number of athletes. Participant’s health and safety has been the cardinal element in all programs for the past 54 years. The TUE element ensures that every athlete, whatever the medical condition can participate without discrimination, once the disease has been confirmed. If a Beta 2 agent is medically required then an appropriate agent will be approved by the local governing TUE body, and safe participation can follow. Anti- Doping in a complex area and non – binary. A f...

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  Dear Sir/Madam
  Riiser’s et al paper outlines the long-held belief that beta 2 agonists do not improve aerobic function in a healthy population. Beta 2 agonist however have other performance enhancing affects. Clenbuterol, the beta 2 agonist is a case in point. This drug has been used by athletes for decades to burn fat, through metabolic up regulation. This beta 2 agonist drug is also suggested to improved muscle growth through its effects on protein synthesis. It is hypostasised that Clenbuterol induces phosphorylation of mTOR which resulting in enhanced muscle protein synthesis.
  Drugs are banned in sport based on the presence of 2 of 3 criteria: 1) Performance enhancing. 2) Dangerous to health 3) Against the ethos of sport.
  While Beta 2 agonist may not improve aerobic function, they can be performance enhancing. They also carry significant side effects in unsupervised hands. The ethos of sport is perhaps a moot point.
  Anti-Doping began in earnest in 1967 following the death of a number of athletes. Participant’s health and safety has been the cardinal element in all programs for the past 54 years. The TUE element ensures that every athlete, whatever the medical condition can participate without discrimination, once the disease has been confirmed. If a Beta 2 agent is medically required then an appropriate agent will be approved by the local governing TUE body, and safe participation can follow. Anti- Doping in a complex area and non – binary. A failure of a specific drug class to have a specific performance enhancement, aerobic performance in this instance, is insufficient evidence to consider allowing all participants to use such an agent

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  Conflict of Interest:
  None declared.

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