Effects of beta-adrenergic blockade on endurance and short-time performance in respect to individual muscle fiber composition.

Nine physically active males were studied three times with four different exercise tests after administration of placebo, 0.1 g atenolol, or 0.08 g propranolol in random order. The test modals were: bicycle ergometer exercise at 50% of VO2max, peak torque during knee extension, the Wingate muscle power test, and 2000 m track running. Muscle fiber composition had previously been determined. In subjects with a high percentage of slow-twitch fibers the beta-blockers caused a more marked impairment in the exercising muscles. This effect was more pronounced with the unselective beta-blocker propranolol than with atenolol. One interpretation of our findings is that peripheral sympathetic beta 2-receptors in skeletal muscles may contribute to regulating muscle metabolism.