['To assess possible ergogenic properties of corticosteroid administration.', 'A balanced, double-blind, placebo-controlled design was used.', '28 well-trained cyclists and rowers.', "4 weeks' daily inhalation of 800 microg budesonide or placebo.", 'The subjects performed three incremental cycle ergometer tests until exhaustion, before and after 2 and 4 weeks of placebo or budesonide administration, to measure maximal power output (W(max)). Once a week they filled in a profile of mood state (POMS) questionnaire.', 'There was no significant difference in W(max) between the placebo (376 (SD 25) W) and the corticosteroid group (375 (36) W) during the preintervention test, and there were no significant changes in either group after 2 and 4 weeks of intervention. No effect of the intervention on mood state was found.'] Does four weeks ' corticosteroid inhalation augment maximal power output in endurance athletes?