Physical perfomance was studied uniformly after intake of different antihypertensive drugs, and a comparison was made with placebo. The time needed to run 5000 m was studied in a nonhypertensive subject. In one of the different study periods, heart rate was continuously recorded during and after exercise. Physical perfomance was significantly reduced when a β‐blocker was taken. The effect on physical capacity was strongly dose‐dependent. With a high but conventional dose of a β‐blocker, the time needed to run 5000 m was increased by more than 33%. No differences were observed between types of β‐blockers. Physical capacity was slightly but significantly impaired when an α‐blocker was taken; no differences in physical capacity between the drugs used and placebo were observed for a diuretic, a calcium antagonist or an inhibitor of the angiotensin‐converting enzyme. The reduced physical perfomance seems to be caused by a reduction of the maximal heart rate as a result of the β‐blockade. Thus, heart rate did not exceed 120 beats/min when the subject ran at maximal long‐distance speed after intake of 100 mg of metoprolol, as recorded by continuous hea