Int J Sports Med 2005; 26(5): 321-326
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-821021
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Airway Tone During Exercise in Healthy Subjects: Effects of Salbutamol and Ipratropium Bromide

A. Pichon1 , M. Roulaud1 , A. Denjean1 , 2 , C. de Bisschop1
  • 1Laboratoire d'Analyse de la Performance Motrice Humaine, Faculté des Sciences du Sport, UPRES EA 2253, Poitiers, France
  • 2Service d'Explorations Fonctionnelles, Physiologie Respiratoire et de l'Exercice, Pôle Cœur-Poumons, CHU de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: March 15, 2004

Publication Date:
26 August 2004 (online)

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Abstract

In healthy subjects changes in airway calibre during exercise are conflicting and smaller than in asthmatics. Methodological differences could explain the discrepancies between the results obtained in healthy subjects. Therefore, our aim was to assess during exercise the changes in airway diameter and the effects of 200 µg salbutamol (SAL) or 40 µg ipratropium bromide (IPR) inhalations versus placebo (PLA), using spirometry and respiratory resistance (Rrs). Eight non-asthmatic subjects exercised 9 min at 70 % of their maximal aerobic power after inhalation of 200 µg SAL, 40 µg IPR, or PLA. Maximal flow-volume curves were obtained before and after inhalations, at 3 (E3) and 6 (E6) minutes of exercise, and during recovery. Rrs were measured by impulse oscillometry before and after inhalation, and immediately at the end of exercise. At rest, FEV1 increased significantly after inhalation of SAL and IPR. Rrs decreased only after SAL. During exercise FEV1 increased significantly from rest with SAL and IPR while forced mid expiratory flow (FEF25 - 75) increased significantly for all conditions. At E6 the rise of FEV1 and FEF25 - 75 were greater with SAL compared to PLA and IPR. In all conditions Rrs increased significantly immediately at the end of exercise as compared to rest but less than during flow-matched hyperpnea. It is concluded that a similar bronchodilation was observed during exercise with and without anticholinergic drug which suggests a withdrawal of parasympathetic control of airways during exercise in healthy subjects. Nevertheless, the bronchodilation observed during exercise is not maximal since it can be reinforced by β2-mimetic drug.

References

A. Pichon

Laboratoire d'Analyse de la Performance Motrice Humaine, Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Université de Poitiers

4 allée Jean Monnet

86000 Poitiers

France

Phone: + 33549454041

Fax: + 33 5 49 45 33 96

Email: aurelien.pichon@orange.fr