Alpine Skiing and Acute β-Blockade

Abstract

The effect of acute unselective (propranolol) and β₁selective (atenolol) β-adrenoceptor blockade was studied on alpine skiing in six leisure and seven elite skiers. Prior to the skiing tests a short time “all out” cycle ergometer test (Wingate muscle power test) was performed to confirm whether a β-blocking effect (80 mg propranolol and 100 mg atenolol orally) was present or not. Peak and average power of the Wingate test showed an impairment in the order of 4%-6% (P < 0.05-0.001). Peak blood lactate was only reduced after propranolol (0.05 > P > 0.01). During leisure skiing under submaximal exercise conditions peak blood lactate was increased (P < 0.05) as compared to placebo, but rated perceived exertion (RPE) was unchanged as well as the estimated skiing technique. The elite skiers showed prolonged performance times (P < 0.05) after β-blockade and in the case of propranolol also reduced peak and mean blood lactates (P < 0.05). It is suggested that during intense exercise propranolol reduced lactate formation, which is in line with previous reports. This might impair short time, “explosive” type muscular exercise. If there is a risk factor for injury during β-blockade and alpine skiing, it might be connected to the impaired performance and metabolism in relation to intense exercise and propranolol treatment.

Key words

beta(β)-blockade - blood lactates - alpine skiing - muscle power - risk factor