The Use of Beta2-Agonists in Asthmatic Athletes and Ethical Considerations

Dr Glenn McConell chats with Associate Professor from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. He is an expert on the effect of beta2-agonist asthma bronchodilator medications (like Ventolin) on muscle and exercise performance. We talked about what is asthma/exercise induced bronchoconstriction, can you train your lungs?, the increased prevalence of asthma in endurance athletes, can asthma limit aerobic capacity, what are beta2-agonists?, acute and chronic effects of beta2-agonists on muscle mass, sprinting, strength and endurance, side effects of beta2-agonists and negative effects of beta2 agonists on endurance exercise. Beta2-agonists should only be used for asthma treatment. A very interesting chat. Twitter: @morten_hostrup.
0:00. Introduction
2:12. Morten’s very good excuse for postponing coming on
5:15. What is asthma?
6:50. Lungs in endurance athletes vs general population
1:11:15. Increased asthma in endurance athletes
13:58. Why more asthma in endurance athletes?
17:20. Asthmatic athletes can be very successful
19:50. VO2 max etc not effected by asthma
24:18. Beta2-agonists can have negative effects on VO2 max
26:30. Sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous systems
29:06. What are Beta2-agonists and what do they do?
31:30. Inhaled medications can get into the blood
32:40. Different beta2-agonists
35:23. Legitimate and illegitimate use of beta2-agonists
40:30. Up to 90% of some cohorts take beta2-agonists
42:30. Legal limits of beta2-agonists use
43:40. Acute effects on muscle mass/ sprinting
49:02. Mechanisms of effect on muscle
53:13. How limit misuse?
56:39. Chronic effects on muscle
1:02:50. Hypertrophy from chronic beta2-agonists
1:06:15. Prevalence of use in body builders
1:07:40. Combined use of drugs in body builders
1:10:00. Effect of combining with corticosteroids
1:16:30. Normal doses have small effects on muscle
1:17:10. Side effects
1:21:00. Mechanisms of chronic beta2-agonists on muscle
1:23:30. Muscle mass and insulin sensitivity
1:27:22. Potency vs anabolic steroids etc
1:29:35. Competition with beta blockers
1:31:55. Cycling on and off beta2-agonists?
1:32:35. Effects during exercise
1:37:04. Anti-diabetic effects?
1:38:15. Maintains muscle mass during weight loss
1:39:30. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
1:40:55. Sex differences
1:42:40. Age effects
1:43:40. Does exercise training affect beta2 receptors?
1:44:45. Negative effects on endurance exercise
1:47:02. Increase muscle mass but not so much strength
1:50:20. Controversies in the field
1:52:30. Some claim beta2 agonists have no systemic effects
1:58:00. Takeaway messages
1:59:28. Outro Inside Exercise brings to you the who's who of research in exercise metabolism, exercise physiology and exercise’s effects on health. With scientific rigor, these researchers discuss popular exercise topics while providing practical strategies for all.
The interviewer, Emeritus Professor Glenn McConell, has an international research profile following 30 years of Exercise Metabolism research experience while at The University of Melbourne, Ball State University, Monash University, the University of Copenhagen and Victoria University.
He has published over 120 peer reviewed journal articles and recently edited an Exercise Metabolism eBook written by world experts on 17 different topics (https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-94305-9).
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Not medical advice