Four weeks' corticosteroid inhalation does not augment maximal power output in endurance athletes.
OBJECTIVE
To assess possible ergogenic properties of corticosteroid administration.


METHODS
A balanced, double-blind, placebo-controlled design was used.


METHODS
28 well-trained cyclists and rowers.


METHODS
4 weeks' daily inhalation of 800 microg budesonide or placebo.


METHODS
The subjects performed three incremental cycle ergometer tests until exhaustion, before and after 2 and 4 weeks of placebo or budesonide administration, to measure maximal power output (W(max)). Once a week they filled in a profile of mood state (POMS) questionnaire.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in W(max) between the placebo (376 (SD 25) W) and the corticosteroid group (375 (36) W) during the preintervention test, and there were no significant changes in either group after 2 and 4 weeks of intervention. No effect of the intervention on mood state was found.


CONCLUSIONS
4 weeks of corticosteroid or placebo inhalation in healthy, well-trained athletes did not affect maximal power output or mood state. Hence no ergogenic properties of 4 weeks' corticosteroid administration could be demonstrated, which corroborates previous studies of short-term corticosteroid administration.
Kuipers
H
H
Department of Movement Sciences, Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht (NUTRIM), University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands. harm.kuipers@bw.unimaas.nl
Van't Hullenaar
G A C
GA
Pluim
B M
BM
Overbeek
S E
SE
De Hon
O
O
Van Breda
E J
EJ
Van Loon
L C
LC
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019819:Budesonide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D019819:Budesonide