Table 2

Effects of inhaled β₂ agonists on performance of non-asthmatic competitive athletes (studies using salmeterol, formoterol, orterbutaline)

Authors	Study type	Subjects	Substance	Dosage	Bronchoprovocation	Performance and other findings
= Unchanged, ↓ decrease.
M, male; RPE, rate of perceived exertion.
Carlsen et al, 1997²⁶	Crossover	10 Cross-country skiers	Salmeterol	50 μg	–	= Vo₂max
		2 Biathlon				= Anaerobic threshold
		6 Long distance runners				↓ Running time until
		18 M				exhaustion (∼ 4 min)
Morton et al, 1996⁴¹	Crossover	Cyclists and triathletes	Salmeterol	50 μg	Methacholine	= Anaerobic performance
		16 M				= Strength performance
						= Fine motor control
						= Reaction time
McDowell et al, 1997⁴²	Crossover	Cyclists	Salmeterol	42 μg	Methacholine	= Anaerobic performance
		11 M				= Maximal lactate
Sue-Chu et al, 1999³¹	Crossover	Cross-country skiers	Salmeterol	50 μg	Methacholine	= Vo₂max
		8 M				= Running time until exhaustion (∼ 6.5 min)
						= Lactate performance curve
Carlsen et al, 2001⁴³	Crossover	11 Cross-country skiers	Formoterol	9 μg	–	= Vo₂max
		5 Orienteers				= Running time until exhaustion
		8 Other athletes				(105% Vo₂max; ∼ 5 min)
		24 M
Stewart et al, 2002⁴⁰	Crossover	Highly trained athletes	Formoterol	12 μg	Methacholine	= Vo₂max
		10 M				= Anaerobic performance
Larsson et al, 1997³⁰	Crossover	8 Cross-country skiers	Terbutaline	3 mg	Methacholine	= Vo₂max
	(single blind)	8 Middle long distance runners				= Total exercise time
		4 Cyclists				(∼ 25 min)
		20 M				= RPE