Montelukast does not affect exercise performance at subfreezing temperature in highly trained non-asthmatic endurance athletes.
Anti-leukotriene therapy represents a new principle in asthma treatment. As elite athletes can have asthma, this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised cross-over study investigated the effect of 10 mg oral montelukast, a specific and potent cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist, on physiological responses to submaximal and maximal aerobic exercise at -15 degrees C in 14 non-asthmatic highly trained endurance male athletes (maximal oxygen uptake [VO2 max] > 70 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1)). Heart rate, capillary blood lactate, minute ventilation with tidal volume and breathing frequency, respiratory exchange ratio and oxygen uptake were measured during the warm-up run of 10 min at 50%, runs of 10 min at 90% and 5 min at 80% VO2max, and a timed run to exhaustion. Spirometry was performed at baseline, at four hours after tablet ingestion, after warm-up and exercise at 80% VO2max, and in the post exercise period. Compared to placebo, montelukast did not increase baseline FEV1, have a beneficial effect on physiological performance variables, or increase the mean (SD) running time to exhaustion (montelukast: 332.3 [45.8] s, placebo: 340.1 [53.3] s, P = 0.22). These findings do not suggest the need for disallowing the use of this drug by asthmatic athletes.
Sue-Chu
M
M
Department of Lung Medicine, University Hospital, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim. malcolm.suechu@sensewave.com
Sandsund
M
M
Holand
B
B
Bjermer
L
L
D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011804:Quinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D013147:Spirometry; D013440:Sulfides
D000085:Acetates; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D011804:Quinolines; D013440:Sulfides; C093875:montelukast