Abstract
Objectives
To investigate the effect of tramadol on performance during a 20-min cycling time-trial
(Experiment 1), and to test whether sustained attention would be impaired during cycling
after tramadol intake (Experiment 2).
Design
Randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial.
Methods
In Experiment 1, participants completed a cycling time-trial, 120-min after they ingested
either tramadol or placebo. In Experiment 2, participants performed a visual oddball
task during the time-trial. Electroencephalography measures (EEG) were recorded throughout
the session.
Results
In Experiment 1, average time-trial power output was higher in the tramadol vs. placebo
condition (tramadol: 220 W vs. placebo: 209 W; p < 0.01). In Experiment 2, no differences between conditions were observed in the average
power output (tramadol: 234 W vs. placebo: 230 W; p > 0.05). No behavioural differences were found between conditions in the oddball task.
Crucially, the time frequency analysis in Experiment 2 revealed an overall lower target-locked
power in the beta-band (p < 0.01), and higher alpha suppression (p < 0.01) in the tramadol vs. placebo condition. At baseline, EEG power spectrum was higher
under tramadol than under placebo in Experiment 1 while the reverse was true for Experiment
2.
Conclusions
Tramadol improved cycling power output in Experiment 1, but not in Experiment 2, which
may be due to the simultaneous performance of a cognitive task. Interestingly enough,
the EEG data in Experiment 2 pointed to an impact of tramadol on stimulus processing
related to sustained attention.
Trial registration
EudraCT number: 2015-005056-96.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 07, 2017
Accepted:
October 31,
2017
Received in revised form:
October 19,
2017
Received:
August 9,
2017
Identification
Copyright
Crown Copyright © 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Sports Medicine Australia. All rights reserved.
