ABSTRACT
Beta blockers are drugs that are used to treat a wide variety of clinical conditions, primarily associated with the cardiovascular system. Beta blockers are of potential benefit in sports where hand tremor and high anxiety play a role. Beta blockers have variable degrees of solubility between lipid and water phases. Atenolol, celiprolol, nadolol and sotalol are the most water soluble. Many of the main clinical uses relate to the effects of beta blockers on the cardiovascular system. Common side effects associated with beta blockers are fatigue, due to reduced cardiac output and reduced muscle perfusion in exercise, coldness in the extremities (hands and feet) due to peripheral vasoconstriction and sleep disturbances. Beta blockers produce metabolic effects including a decrease in the rate of glycogenolysis in skeletal muscle. This may have implications for performance at sub-maximal levels. Similarly, in sustained exercise, the inhibition of glycogenolysis in liver will affect performance by reducing blood glucose levels.
