At our SCM meet this past weekend we had an out-of-state visitor swimming. She was a very serious swimmer, arrived a week early to acclimate, came with a bit of an entourage, and did some pretty amazing times (45-49). We also saw her taking frequent hits from a very large inhaler always just before her races as she was warming up and behind the blocks. Any thoughts?.
In addition, everyone should use a spacer when taking albuterol -- it increases the pulmonary deposition of the albuterol by a factor of three or more. You have more side-effects without it as well.
I've been taking Albuterol for about 25 years, and rarely (maybe 5-10 times) have used a spacer. I didn't even know about them until about 10 years ago, and it just doesn't seem as effective for me when I do.
But I can't even remember the last time I used mine as a rescue inhaler. I've been taking Asmanax for 5-8 years 2x a day. I'll use Albuterol to clear my lungs and the Asmanax seems much more effective.
All that said, yes I do feel like it helps my performance, especially in cooler water like an open-water swim, and also for longer pool swims (the 800/1500). I haven't really noticed any difference in shorter events. I definitely feel a difference in running too, especially in cooler air and/or when pollution is high.
In addition, everyone should use a spacer when taking albuterol -- it increases the pulmonary deposition of the albuterol by a factor of three or more. You have more side-effects without it as well.
I've been taking Albuterol for about 25 years, and rarely (maybe 5-10 times) have used a spacer. I didn't even know about them until about 10 years ago, and it just doesn't seem as effective for me when I do.
But I can't even remember the last time I used mine as a rescue inhaler. I've been taking Asmanax for 5-8 years 2x a day. I'll use Albuterol to clear my lungs and the Asmanax seems much more effective.
All that said, yes I do feel like it helps my performance, especially in cooler water like an open-water swim, and also for longer pool swims (the 800/1500). I haven't really noticed any difference in shorter events. I definitely feel a difference in running too, especially in cooler air and/or when pollution is high.
