RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Effects of Salbutamol in Athletes and Implications for Screening and Sports

This research explores whether a medicine usually used for asthma, called salbutamol, can improve how well healthy athletes perform. Even though current rules usually allow this without a full ban, some athletes still use it, and we want to understand why. Specifically, we're looking to see if salbutamol helps athletes who don't have asthma but experience breathing difficulties during very intense exercise. We believe there might be a specific group where this medicine could make a difference. The results from this study could help sports organisations update their rules about medicine use in athletes and ensure fair play for everyone.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of British Columbia

Enrolment target

Start

30 Oct 2025

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2030

Asthma Healthy Effect of Drug

What is this study about?

You might have heard of salbutamol (often known by brand names like Ventolin), a common medicine used to treat asthma. It helps to open up the airways, making it easier to breathe. While it's vital for people with asthma, there's been some debate in sports about whether it can unfairly boost an athlete's performance, even in those who don't have asthma.

Historically, sports bodies like the International Olympic Committee banned such medicines. However, research over the years has shown that for most healthy people, these medicines don't provide a performance boost at the usual doses. Despite this, some top athletes, including those without asthma, still use salbutamol. This study wants to dig deeper into why that might be the case.

Our main goal is to find out if there's a specific group of healthy athletes who struggle with breathing during very intense exercise, and if salbutamol could help them. We're also curious if female athletes might benefit more because they sometimes face more breathing difficulties during exercise than men. Understanding this could help make sure sports rules are fair and based on good science.

Key takeaways

This study investigates how salbutamol, an asthma medicine, affects healthy athletes.
It focuses on athletes who might have breathing difficulties during intense exercise.
The goal is to see if salbutamol improves their sports performance.
Results could help sports organisations create fairer rules for medication use.
The study considers both male and female endurance athletes aged 18-55.
Smoking, vaping, and certain health conditions prevent participation.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you would need to be between 18 and 55 years old.

You should be an active endurance athlete, meaning you regularly train or compete in sports like running or cycling, and be in good physical shape. Your weight should be within a healthy range for your height.

There are also some things that would mean you couldn't take part. For example, if you smoke or have smoked a lot in the past, or if you use vaping products or cannabis regularly. We also can't include people with certain heart or lung conditions (other than well-controlled asthma) or any other health issues that would make intense exercise unsafe.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 55 years old?
Do you actively train or compete in endurance sports like running or cycling?
Are you a non-smoker and do you not use vaping products or cannabis regularly?
Do you have a healthy weight for your height?
Do you *not* have any major heart or lung conditions (other than well-controlled asthma)?
Are you able to speak and understand English?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

The detailed description of participation is not provided in the prompt. This section would typically outline: * **Visits:** How many times you'd need to come to the study center. * **Assessments:** What tests you would undergo, such as fitness tests, breathing measurements, and possibly blood samples. * **Medication:** If you would receive salbutamol or a placebo (a dummy medicine). * **Follow-up:** Any checks after the main part of the study. * **Total Duration:** How long your involvement in the study would last.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in any study has possible benefits and risks. Potential benefits might include a deeper understanding of your own exercise physiology and contributing to scientific knowledge about sports and medication. Risks could involve side effects from the study medication, though salbutamol is generally safe at therapeutic doses. There's also the usual small risk associated with intense exercise testing. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

St. Paul's Hospital
Verified postcode
Vancouver, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is salbutamol?

Salbutamol is a medicine commonly used to open up the airways and make breathing easier, usually for people with asthma.

Why is this study important for athletes?

This study aims to understand if salbutamol can help healthy athletes who experience breathing difficulties during very intense exercise, which could influence sports rules about its use.

Will I know if I'm getting the real medicine or a dummy pill?

This information is not provided, but in clinical trials, participants often don't know whether they're receiving the active medicine or a placebo to ensure unbiased results.

Who can't join this study?

People who smoke, vape, use cannabis, or have certain heart or lung conditions (apart from controlled asthma) would typically not be able to join.

What kind of exercise would I do in the study?

The study looks at endurance sports like running and cycling, so the exercise tests would likely involve intense activity in these areas.

How to find out more

Satvir S Dhillon, MSc

satvir.dhillon@hli.ubc.ca 604-806-8835 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.