Improved Sprint Performance With Inhaled Long-Acting Β2-Agonists Combined With Resistance Exercise

Purpose: To investigate the impact of twice daily inhalation of 100 μg of salmeterol or 12 μg of formoterol in addition to a strength and power training programme over a 5-wk period on 30-m sprint, strength, power, mood, stress, and skinfold thickness.

Methods: In a randomized single-blind study, 23 male and 15 female nonasthmatic, recreationally active individuals were recruited (mean ± SD age 26.3 ± 5.4 y, weight 76.2 ± 11.5 kg, height 176.9 ± 8.5 cm). Participants completed 3 standardized whole-body strength and power training sessions per week for 5 wk. During the 5-wk training period they were assigned to a salmeterol (SAL), formoterol (FOR), or placebo (PLA) group. Participants used their inhaler twice per day as instructed and completed assessments of sprint, strength, and power at baseline and 1 wk after cessation of the training program. The assessments included 30-m sprint, vertical jump, 1-repetition-maximum (1RM) bench press, 1RM leg press, peak torque flexion and extension, anthropometric evaluation, and Rest-Q questionnaires.

Results: After 5 wk of strength and power training, 30-m sprint time reduced in FOR (0.29 ± 0.11 s, P = .049) and SAL (0.35 ± 0.05 s, P = .040) groups compared with PLA (+0.01 ± 0.11 s). No significant change was found in other assessments of strength, mood, or skinfold thickness.

Conclusions: When strength and power training is combined with the inhalation of FOR or SAL over a 5-wk period, moderately trained individuals experience an improvement in 30-m sprint performance.