Effects of Salbutamol in Athletes and Implications for Screening and Sports
Key facts
- Where
- Vancouver, CanadaSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 55 years old?
Where in Canada
- St. Paul's HospitalVancouver, CanadaTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of British Columbia
- Trial code
- NCT07037511
- Record updated
- 13 March 2026
- Original description
β2-Agonists, commonly used to treat asthma, have also been used by athletes to enhance performance, leading to their ban by the International Olympic Committee in 1972. Research has shown non-asthmatics receive no benefit from these drugs at therapeutic dosages; however, many elite athletes still use them, and asthmatic athletes often win more Olympic medals. In some non-asthmatics, β2-agonists may improve breathing limitations during high intensity exercise, which may improve performance. Therefore, we aim to examine if there is a select group of non-asthmatic individuals who experience breathing limitations that may receive benefit from β2-agonists.Read full original descriptionShow less
Physiological, Sensory and Ergogenic Effects of Salbutamol - Implications for Athletic Screening and β2 Agonist Use in Sport
β2-Agonists, commonly used to treat asthma, have also been used by athletes to enhance performance, leading to their ban by the International Olympic Committee in 1972. Research has shown non-asthmatics receive no benefit from these drugs at therapeutic dosages; however, many elite athletes still use them, and asthmatic athletes often win more Olympic medals. In some non-asthmatics, β2-agonists may improve breathing limitations during high intensity exercise, which may improve performance. Therefore, we aim to examine if there is a select group of non-asthmatic individuals who experience breathing limitations that may receive benefit from β2-agonists.
Inclusion: Aerobic capacity (V̇O2max) greater than 120% predicted; Body mass index (BMI) > 18 and < 30 kg/m2; Ability to read and understand English; Currently training and/or competing in endurance sports (i.e. running or cycling).
Exclusion: Smoking history or currently smoking. Currently smoking is defined as regular use of cigarettes or cannabis at any point in the past year. History of smoking is defined as smoking more than 1 pack year for cigarettes or the equivalent in cannabis use measured as puffs per day / 200 (number of puffs in a pack of cigarettes); Use of cannabis within the past 30 days or has a smoking history of at least 1 pack year; History or current symptoms of cardiopulmonary disease (excluding controlled asthma); Contraindications to exercise testing defined as anything that would prevent exercise under proper and safe conditions (e.g., a problem with the heart or lungs, muscle); Neuromuscular or musculoskeletal condition; Use of vaping devices or e-cigarettes in the past 30 days, or has used them more than 10 times in their lifetime.