Abstract
The effects of whole-body exposure to ambient temperatures of −15°C and 23°C on selected performance-related physiological variables were investigated in elite nonasthmatic cross-country skiers. At an ambient temperature of −15°C we also studied the effects of the selective β2-adrenergic agonist Salbutamol (0.4 mg × 3) which was administered 10 min before the exercise test. Eight male cross-country skiers with known maximal oxygen uptakes (V˙O2 max ) of more than 70 ml · kg−1 · min−1 participated in the study. Oxygen uptake (V˙O2), heart rate (f c), blood lactate concentration ([La−]b) and time to exhaustion were measured during controlled submaximal and maximal running on a treadmill in a climatic chamber. Lung function measured as forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was recorded immediately before the warm-up period and at the conclusion of the exercise protocol. Submaximal V˙O2 and [La−]b at the two highest submaximal exercise intensities were significantly higher at −15°C than at 23°C. Time to exhaustion was significantly shorter in the cold environment. However, no differences in V˙O2 max or f c were observed. Our results would suggest that exercise stress is higher at submaximal exercise intensities in a cold environment and support the contention that aerobic capacity is not altered by cold exposure. Furthermore, we found that after Salbutamol inhalation FEV1 was significantly higher than after placebo administration. However, the inhaled β2-agonist Salbutamol did not influence submaximal and maximal V˙O2, f c, [La−]b or time to exhaustion in the elite, nonasthmatic cross-country skiers we studied. Thus, these results did not demonstrate any ergogenic effect of the β2-agonist used.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Accepted: 18 August 1997
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sandsund, M., Sue-Chu, M., Helgerud, J. et al. Effect of cold exposure (−15°C) and Salbutamol treatment on physical performance in elite nonasthmatic cross-country skiers. Eur J Appl Physiol 77, 297–304 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004210050337
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004210050337