Beta Blockers Being Abused in Running?

beta-Adrenoceptor blockers (beta-blockers) are common first-choice drugs in the treatment of various cardiovascular disorders. Physical exercise performed during single-dose administration of beta-blockers, however, is associated with an increased rate of perceived exertion; an effect which appears to be partly reduced with long term treatment. Although clinical doses of beta-blockade may reduce heart rate by 30 to 35%, during maximal exercise cardiac output is not equally reduced. Accordingly, most studies have demonstrated increased stroke volume after beta-blockade. This reduction in heart rate is typically accompanied by a decreased VO2max (5 to 15%) in both patients and healthy, trained subjects. This smaller reduction in VO2max, as compared with the decrease in cardiac output, is the result of a partly compensating increased arteriovenous O2 difference. Work capacity as reflected by the ability to perform intense short term or more prolonged steady-state exercise is also impaired following beta-blockade. beta-Adrenoceptors can be subdivided into types beta 1- and beta 2. Blockers which are specific for either beta 1-receptors (beta 1-selective blockers) or both beta 1- and beta 2 receptors (non-selective blockers) differ with regard to their effect on exercise performance. Exercise performance ability, irrespective of exercise intensity and duration, is impaired to a greater extent following non-selective than beta 1-selective blockade at equal reductions in heart rate. This response stems from a decreased energy flux through glycogenolysis during non-selective blockade treatment. Individuals receiving beta-blockade medication therefore show greater adaptive response to physical conditioning during treatment with beta 1-selective than non-selective blockade probably because of greater training intensity with the former therapy. Neither psychomotor performance nor muscular strength and power is negatively affected by beta-blockade. Nevertheless, the ability to perform athletic events requiring high levels of motor control under emotional stress but not high levels of aerobic or anaerobic energy release, is probably increased during beta-blockade.

Translated: b blockers are counterproductive for athletic performance.

Carlos Danger wrote:

Translated: b blockers are counterproductive for athletic performance.

Depends on how one defines "athletic performance". Golf, archery, shooting all could benefit. Endurance sports--counterproductive

As a longtime runner who had a cardiac problem, I was put on beta blockers for several months. Yes, stress went away, I was very relaxed, and for once I was sleeping great.

But in many ways my performance went into a tailspin. Too sleepy to focus, too tired or relaxed to want to work out.

I'm no doctor, but I can't imagine they would be helpful in any sort of vigorous exercise. Eventually, my doctor took me off of them when I complained that my professional work was suffering.

Blocking beta one receptors would limit your heart rate and thus your potential cardiac output. It is the equivalent of your car unable to achieve higher rpm's and have a capped throttle respone.

Blocking beta 2 receptors would prevent bronchi load dilation and limit oxygen exchange across the pleural membrane/capillary interface.

Basically it would make running not fast or fun.

Absolutely incorrect in your assessment. As mentioned by at her poster they protect your heart by keeping the heart rate lower during physical exertion. My patients frequently complain of dizziness when walking up steep hills or running because the heart is not pumping enough blood.

A persons athletic performance would suffer on beta blockers not improve.

What Greg Norman is alluding to is that beta blockers are sometimes used to reduce social anxiety by lowering a persons heart rate and blood pressure plus in cases of severe anxiety it will help reduce a persons hands from shaking when they become stressed. So yes it could help a golfer by limiting physical symptoms of anxiety BUT no the physiological symptoms.

luv2run wrote:

Carlos Danger wrote:

Translated: b blockers are counterproductive for athletic performance.

Depends on how one defines "athletic performance". Golf, archery, shooting all could benefit. Endurance sports--counterproductive

Golf is no more a sport than chess or video games. Not surprising that a drug that inhibits athletic performance would be a must-have for the old turds who swing clubs.

Run Doctor wrote:

So yes it could help a golfer by limiting physical symptoms of anxiety BUT no the physiological symptoms.

Beta blockers are not banned in running. WADA bans beta-blockers in other sports like shooting sports where they might create an unfair advantage:

Beta-blockers are prohibited In-Competition only, in the following sports, and also prohibited Out-of-Competition where indicated.

Archery (WA)*

Automobile (FIA)

Billiards (all disciplines) (WCBS)

Darts (WDF)

Golf (IGF)

Shooting (ISSF, IPC) *

Skiing/Snowboarding (FIS) in ski jumping, freestyle aerials/halfpipe and snowboard halfpipe/big air

Underwater sports (CMAS) in constant-weight apnoea with or without fins, dynamic apnoea with and without fins, free immersion apnoea, Jump Blue apnoea, spearfishing, static apnoea, target shooting and variable weight apnoea.

*Also prohibited Out-of-Competition

A North Korean shooter was caught using propranolol at the Beijing Olympics and sent home.

Nope wrote:

Blocking beta one receptors would limit your heart rate and thus your potential cardiac output. It is the equivalent of your car unable to achieve higher rpm's and have a capped throttle respone.

Blocking beta 2 receptors would prevent bronchi load dilation and limit oxygen exchange across the pleural membrane/capillary interface.

Basically it would make running not fast or fun.

+1

To even suggest this was idiotic

so beta blockers would help in ultramarathons where the pace is super slow and you just gotta relax?

Snnds wrote:

Nope wrote:

Blocking beta one receptors would limit your heart rate and thus your potential cardiac output. It is the equivalent of your car unable to achieve higher rpm's and have a capped throttle respone.

Blocking beta 2 receptors would prevent bronchi load dilation and limit oxygen exchange across the pleural membrane/capillary interface.

Basically it would make running not fast or fun.

+1

To even suggest this was idiotic

I can tell you from experience running whilst on them is horrible.

BB used to be used a lot pre exam to cut out the jitters.

They also used to be used in modern pentathlon events where they have to shoot and need to be steady. The sport over came that by scheduling the shooting in the morning and the running in the afternoon.

Your example is Golf. You may call it a sport, I call it a game.

But it may suit them, except fatigue is one of the higher Side Effect risks.

So no - BB are not helpful for runners. Its like a governor on your heart. It cuts down the ability to raise your heart rate. Which if you are racing, is necessary if you wish to be competitive.

And not all BB are the same, nor do they act in the exact same way. Some penetrate the blood brain barrier, some not so much.

A lot of the original studies and examples you are referring to are from Inderal - propranolol studies. Dosing for anxiety to migraine. From 25 mg, to 3 grams.

As a former athlete, who worked in the industry I read a lot of studies and very few ever showed any training effect. That is, train on the BB, then go off the BB and your training showed greater benefit, than pre-trial. All it showed was you were faster off the BB than on the BB.

I agree 100% on the car analogy. I told my cardiologist that since he increased my beta blockers, my running has definitely been affected. I compared it to a car not being able to shift gears when I’m running and like there’s an invisible shield I’m running into.