The ergogenic effect of formoterol and terbutaline

Code: 20C20MH

The updated 2019 Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines, now recommending inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in combination with the long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) formoterol as preferred controller step 1 & 2 for asthma-related symptoms in adults and adolescences. Therefore, the use of formoterol in combination with an ICS will surely increase among athletes, given the high prevalence of asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in the athletic population. Given the potential performance enhancing effects of beta2-agonists, WADA has imposed a urine threshold for formoterol of 40 ng/ml with a maximum dose of 54 µg over 24 hours. However, inhalation of 54 µg formoterol has been shown to enhance muscle strength and sprint performance. Thus, it is necessary to re-evaluated the current maximum doses especially considering that more athletes will receive formoterol for treating asthma and EIB. Nonetheless, no studies have examined whether daily inhalation of formoterol in therapeutic doses exert anabolic actions or can cause potentil adverse in trained males and females. The project consists of two studies. Study I will investigate the chronic effect of inhaled formoterol on exercise performance and body composition in therapeutic doses in males and females. Study II will examine the pharmacokinetic profile of inhaled formoterol with or without budesonide and oral ingestion of formoterol in therapeutic doses in males and females.