Shona Papalia

Is salmeterol ergogenic

ObjectiveTo assess the effects of 50 μg of inhaled salmeterol on pulmonary function, selected physical capacities, and fine motor control in 16 nonasthmatic male cyclists and triathletes, mean age of 23.2 (SD = 3.5) years. DesignRandomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial. SettingHuman Physical Performance Laboratory, the University of Western Australia. SubjectsSixteen healthy male high-performance nonasthmatic athletes with a mean age of 23.2 years participated in the study. InterventionSubjects attended three experimental testing sessions at which salmeterol (50 μg), a placebo, or “no treatment” was administered in random order in a double-blind fashion, on separate occasions, prior to exercise. Main outcome measuresDuring each testing, session lung function was measured before and 10 min after the treatment. Tests of reaction time and hand steadiness and then two anaerobic cycle tests followed. The first, a 10-s all-out sprint was followed, after a 3-min rest, by a 30-s all-out sprint performed on a front access bicycle ergometer. After 10 min recovery, leg flexion-extension peak torque was measured on a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer at speeds of 120 and 180° s−1. Main resultsLung function variables, reaction time, movement time, alactic anaerobic power, lactacid anaerobic power, and leg-flexion and leg-extension muscular strength were similar among the three treatment groups. ConclusionsThe preexercise administration of 50 μg of inhaled salmeterol has no performance-enhancing effects in nonasthmatic athletes. We believe that athletes with asthma should be permitted to use salmeterol before competition.

Physiological and performance benefits of halftime cooling

This study examined the effect of a 10-min, halftime cooling application on physiological and psychological parameters known to affect performance. Fourteen volunteers (10 male, 4 female) completed two randomised trials 48 hr to 7 days apart. Trials consisted of a 1-hr cycling protocol: 30 min at 75% VO2max followed by 10 min cooling (application of a cooling jacket) or passive recovery (control), and a second 30-min exercise bout consisting of 20 min at 75% VO2max, immediately followed by a 10-min maximal effort, where work was measured as energy expended (kJ). Performance of the 10-min maximal intensity phase tended to improve (171.5 +/- 30.4 kJ vs 165.4 +/- 29.2 kJ, p = 0.087) following the cooling trial. Heart rate during the 5th min of the maximal effort, (183 +/- 9 beats.min(-1) vs 180 +/- 7 beats.min(-1), p = 0.024), blood lactate concentration at 6 min post-exercise (9.3 +/- 3.1 mmolxL(-1) vs 7.9 +/- 3.2 mmolxL(-1), p = 0.007), rating of perceived exertion at the 20th min post-halftime recovery (15 +/- 2 vs 16 +/- 2, p = 0.042), and subjective rating of feelings and emotions differed between the cooling and control conditions. Sweat loss, core and mean skin temperature and rating of thermal sensation failed to differ significantly between conditions. Halftime cooling tended to result in greater aerobic performance. Psychological assessment revealed a dramatic placebo effect from the cooling application confounding these results. Furthermore, the cooling intervention failed to induce any significant thermoregulatory effects.

Is Salbutamol Ergogenic?: The Effects Of Salbutamol On Physical Performance In High-performance Nonasthmatic Athletes

Salbutamol and other β2 agonists are very widely used bronchodilators for the prevention and reversal of symptoms of exercise-induced asthma. Currently, the Olympic Medical Commission permits asthmatics the use of these medications in international sport if taken in the aerosol form. However, a rece

Changes in Anaerobic Power and Strength Performance After Inhalation of Salbutamol in Nonasthmatic Athletes

Abstract: This study examined the effects of inhalation of salbutamol and a placebo on anaerobic power and strength performance in nonasthmatic athletes. The treatments were randomly assigned in a double-blind manner. Seventeen male participants in power events, ages 17–31 years, with no history of asthma were subjects in the study. The variables measured were a 10-s all-out sprint on a front-access bicycle ergometer to indicate alactic ability, with the work recorded in J/kg and peak power in W/kg, and peak torques during leg flexion and leg extension on a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer at 120, 180, and 240° per second. In addition, lung function tests were performed premedication, postmedication/preexercise, 5 min after cycling, and 5 min after testing of peak torques. The results indicated that there were no significant differences after treatment with salbutamol and placebo for any of the power or strength tests. All lung function scores, except peak expiratory flow rate, improved after inhalation of salbutamol. We concluded that there were no ergogenic benefits attributable to salbutamol for those participating in power events. Salbutamol should remain a legitimate drug for the treatment of power athletes with asthma participating in international sporting events.

The effects of Lyprinol(®) on delayed onset muscle soreness and muscle damage in well trained athletes: a double-blind randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to determine if Lyprinol(®) is effective in reducing pain, indicators of inflammation and muscle damage, and in turn improving performance in well trained athletes suffering from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). DESIGN A double blind randomised placebo controlled trial. SETTING Twenty well trained male volunteers, matched by VO(2max) were randomly assigned to consume 200mg of Lyprinol(®) or an indistinguishable placebo daily for 8 weeks prior to a downhill treadmill running episode designed to induce DOMS. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Performance measures (Kin-Com, counter movement and squat jump), pain assessments (visual analogue scale, algometer) and blood analyses (Interleukin-1, Interleukin-6, Interleukin-10, tumour necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein, myoglobin, creatine kinase) were assessed at 7 time points over 5 days (pre, post, 4, 24, 48, 72 and 96h after the downhill run). RESULTS No statistically significant differences were identified in any parameters between the active and placebo groups at any time point. CONCLUSION After 2 months ingestion of Lyprinol(®) at the currently recommended dosage (200mg/day) and a demanding eccentric exercise intervention, Lyprinol(®) did not convincingly affect DOMS and indicators of muscle damage.

The effects of Panax notoginseng on delayed onset muscle soreness and muscle damage in well-trained males: A double blind randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to determine if Panax notoginseng is effective in reducing pain, indicators of inflammation and muscle damage, and in turn improve performance in well trained males who underwent a bout of eccentric exercise designed to induce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). DESIGN A double blind randomised placebo controlled trial. SETTING Twenty well trained male volunteers, matched by maximum aerobic capacity were randomly assigned to consume a regime of 4000 mg of P. notoginseng capsules or an indistinguishable placebo before and after a downhill treadmill running episode designed to induce DOMS. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Performance measures (Kin-Com, counter movement and squat jump), pain assessments (visual analogue scale (VAS), algometer) and blood analyses (interleukin-1, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein, myoglobin, creatine kinase) were assessed at 7 time points over 5 days (pre, post, 4, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after the downhill run). RESULTS The placebo group demonstrated a significant decrease in squat jump performance immediately post the downhill run, with a mean change ± 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.8 cm (-3.53 to 1.93). The placebo group also experienced increased pain in the quadriceps 96 h after the downhill run, with a mean VAS change ± 95% CI of -0.32 cm (-0.34 to 0.98).The serum concentration of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly lower in the placebo group 24h after the downhill run. Mean IL-6 change ± 95% CI of 0.50 pg/mL (-1.59 to 0.59), and mean TNF-α change ± 95% CI was 0.98 pg/mL (-2.04 to 0.09). No other significant differences were identified between the groups for any other outcome measure. CONCLUSION Considering all data from this study, P. notoginseng did not convincingly have an effect on performance, muscular pain or assessed blood markers in well-trained males after an intense bout of eccentric exercise that induced DOMS.

The effects of topical Arnica on performance, pain and muscle damage after intense eccentric exercise

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine if topical Arnica is effective in reducing pain, indicators of inflammation and muscle damage, and in turn improve performance in well-trained males experiencing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Twenty well-trained males matched by maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2 Max) completed a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial. Topical Arnica was applied to the skin superficial to the quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles immediately after a downhill running protocol designed to induce DOMS. Topical Arnica was reapplied every 4 waking hours for the duration of the study. Performance measures (peak torque, countermovement and squat jump), pain assessments (visual analogue scale (VAS) and muscle tenderness) and blood analysis (interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, C-reactive protein, myoglobin and creatine kinase) were assessed at seven time points over five days (pre-, post-, 4, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after the downhill run). Participants in the topical Arnica group reported less pain as assessed through muscle tenderness and VAS 72 hours post-exercise. The application of topical Arnica did not affect any performance assessments or markers of muscle damage or inflammation. Topical Arnica used immediately after intense eccentric exercise and for the following 96 hours did not have an effect on performance or blood markers. It did however demonstrate the possibility of providing pain relief three days post-eccentric exercise.