Effect of short-term high dose inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate administration on repeated bout 10-km cycling time trial performance

INTRODUCTION & PURPOSE: The World-Anti Doping Agency (WADA) stipulates that athletes can use inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for asthma-related conditions at all times, including during competition periods. It remains unclear if ICS provides a competitive advantage for single, or repeated bout exercise. This study aimed to investigate the impact of short-term high-dose ICS administration on 10-km cycling time-trial (TT), and recovery for a subsequent 10-km TT performed on the same day.

METHODS: In a randomised cross-over order, eight trained non-asthmatic male cyclists (V̇O2max; 60.0 ± 4.8 ml.kg.min-1) completed a 10-km TT 14 days post-administration of beclomethasone dipropionate (800 μg, BEC) or water vapour inhaler (PLA). Then, after a one-hour passive recovery, participants completed a further 10-km TT. Before commencing each TT, subjective overall recovery was assessed using Short Recovery Stress Score (SRSS). Plasma Interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration was determined from samples collected at baseline, and after completion of the subsequent TT (difference between baseline and post-exercise are reported as ΔIL-6). Data was tested for normality, then statistically analysed using Paired Samples T-Test.

RESULTS: No significant difference was seen in completion time for the initial 10-km TT (BEC: 962.1 ± 45.3 s; PLA: 964.7 ± 44.1 s; p=0.50) or the subsequent 10-km TT (BEC: 982.5 ± 48.8 s; PLA: 985.7 ± 54.7 s; p=0.63). Baseline SRSS was not different between conditions (P=1.00), nor prior to the subsequent 10-km bout (P=0.35). Baseline IL-6 was significantly lower in BEC than PLA (0.70 ± 0.47 pg/mL, 0.93 ± 0.54 pg/mL respectively; P=0.05), however ΔIL-6 was not significantly different between conditions (P=0.64).

CONCLUSION: Short-term high-dose ICS medication did not enhance 10-km TT performance. Furthermore, perceived recovery prior to, or measured performance during subsequent 10-km TT was not different between conditions. Future research should consider the applied significance of ICS related performance and recovery outcomes.