{"id":2174,"date":"2015-01-06T04:18:41","date_gmt":"2015-01-06T04:18:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.viamedic.com\/blog\/?p=2174"},"modified":"2025-01-08T20:35:04","modified_gmt":"2025-01-08T13:35:04","slug":"can-viagra-enhance-athletic-performance-too","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.edrugstore.com\/blog\/erectile-dysfunction\/viagra\/can-viagra-enhance-athletic-performance-too\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Viagra Enhance Athletic Performance, Too?"},"content":{"rendered":"

C<\/span>urrent research indicates that Viagra and other oral ED drugs might improve athletic performance at higher elevations. However, there’s no indication that it provides an edge for athletes competing at low to moderate elevation. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Brandon Marshall, wide receiver for the Chicago Bears, stirred up more than a little controversy a couple of years back when he told Chicago Tribune<\/em> sportswriter Brad Biggs that he\u2019d heard some NFL players were taking Viagra to improve their performance on the field.<\/p>\n

According to an article posted at FightSaga.com<\/a>, Marshall\u2019s comments were a little on the vague side, but there can be no doubt he was alluding to the little blue pill and its possible effects on athletic performance. As reported by Biggs, Marshall said, \u00a8I\u2019ve heard of guys using Viagra, seriously, because the blood, it\u2019s supposed to thin. I don\u2019t know. Some crazy stuff.”<\/p>\n

Marshall reportedly even added a bit of a cautionary note, saying, \u00a8It\u2019s kind of scary with some of these chemicals that are in some of these things, so you have to be careful.\u00a8<\/p>\n

Useful in Limited Circumstances<\/h3>\n

Viagra<\/a> — or its active ingredient known as sildenafil citrate — has already proved quite conclusively that it can enhance men\u2019s performance in the bedroom. Marshall\u2019s revelations clearly beg the question of whether the drug can in any way improve athletic performance. The answer, it appears, is positive, but only in extremely limited circumstances can taking Viagra make any meaningful difference in how an athlete performs.<\/p>\n

Fundamental to any discussion of Viagra\u2019s possible use among athletes is an understanding of how the drug works in achieving its primary purpose, namely overcoming the symptoms of impotence.<\/p>\n

Because the vast majority of erection problems stem from compromised blood flow to the penis, Viagra and the other drugs like it are designed to temporarily promote strong blood flow to the pelvic region so that an erection can be achieved.<\/p>\n

PDE5 Inhibitors<\/h3>\n
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Viagra was the first of the so-called PDE5 inhibitors, prescribed to treat ED.\u00a0<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Viagra belongs to a family of drugs known as PDE5 inhibitors that also includes other popular impotence medications such as Cialis, Levitra, Staxyn<\/a>, and Stendra<\/a>. They get their name because they are designed to temporarily disable an enzyme known as phosphodiesterase-5, which can make it difficult for some men to get and keep an erection strong enough for intercourse.<\/p>\n

The PDE5 enzyme is perfectly natural and serves an important purpose, but for men who are having some sort of vascular impediment to erection, it can cause problems. One of the enzyme\u2019s primary functions is to break down another natural substance known as cyclic guanosine monophosphate, or cGMP.<\/p>\n

Improves Blood Flow<\/h3>\n

The role of cGMP in erection is an important one because it relaxes the smooth muscles that line blood vessels, and as those vessels relax and expand they can carry strong blood flow to the penis. Erection occurs when blood floods into the spongy erectile tissues of the penis causing it to lengthen and harden. Kill off this beneficial cGMP prematurely, and you\u2019re making the task more difficult and in many cases impossible.<\/p>\n

So it becomes clear that Viagra and the other PDE5 inhibitors work by promoting strong blood flow, which raises the question of how that might benefit athletes. A small-scale study conducted by researchers from Palo Alto Health Care System and Stanford University\u2019s Medical Center and School of Medicine provides some answers.<\/p>\n

Study Group Assembled<\/h3>\n

For their study, the findings of which were published in the June 2006 issue of the Journal of Applied Physiology<\/em>,<\/a> researchers assembled a study group of 11 trained male cyclists and triathletes between the ages of 18 and 35. One test subject was forced to withdraw from the study after experiencing severe headaches during sea-level testing.<\/p>\n

Researchers reported that the purpose of their study was to determine what effects, if any, sildenafil would have on athletic performance during both normoxic (normal levels of oxygen) and hypoxic (less than normal levels of oxygen) exercise. In advance of the study itself, researchers hypothesized that sildenafil would have little or no effect on normoxic exercise but likely would improve cardiac output, arterial oxygen saturation, and performance during hypoxic exercise.<\/p>\n

Trials at Differing Altitudes<\/h3>\n
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Viagra improved athletic performance at high elevations.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Test subjects performed one practice and three experimental trials at sea level and a similar number of runs at a simulated altitude of just over 12,700 feet. Before the experimental trials at both sea level and simulated high altitude, test subjects were randomly given double-blinded capsules — placebo, 50 milligrams of sildenafil, or 100 milligrams.<\/p>\n

The study\u2019s findings were very much in line with researchers\u2019 original hypotheses. Sildenafil supplementation for sea-level exercise trials had no measurable effects on any cardiovascular or performance measures. However, during the simulated high-altitude trials, sildenafil, regardless of dose level, increased stroke volume, cardiac output, and arterial oxygen saturation.<\/p>\n

Analysis of Data<\/h3>\n

In analyzing data after the trials had been run, researchers were able to identify two distinct groups among the test subjects: those who responded positively to the sildenafil and those who did not. Among the former, sildenafil improved time-trial performance at high altitudes by an average of 39 percent, while the latter showed an average improvement of only 1 percent.<\/p>\n

So for athletes who are involved in high-altitude pursuits, such as mountain climbing or mountain biking, sildenafil may offer a bit of an edge, particularly for those who respond positively to its effects. As for baseball, football, and other sports that are most often played at low to moderate altitudes, it is doubtful that the little blue pill will be of much assistance.<\/p>\n

Can Pose a Danger<\/h3>\n

Apart from the fact that it probably has no beneficial effect on athletic performance at most altitudes, sildenafil may pose a real danger for athletes if taken at the same time as other vasodilators, medications that dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure. \u00a0Spotlighting this potential peril was a report published by two U.K. researchers in a 2010 issue of the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n

Just as men with erection problems are cautioned to avoid all nitrate-based drugs when taking one of the PDE5 inhibitors, athletes need to heed this warning as well and avoid combining sildenafil and other vasodilators in an attempt to improve performance.<\/p>\n

Noting that current antidoping laws don\u2019t prohibit or require testing for PDE5 inhibitors or nitrate-based drugs, the researchers point out that \u00a8some are highly dangerous to health and can lead to cardiovascular collapse, coma, and death.\u00a8 They conclude by saying that the promotion among athletes of PDE5 inhibitors or nitrates as performance-enhancers “is ethically and medically questionable.”<\/p>\n

If you’ve found this article informative and would like to see more of the same, follow our blog<\/a> on a regular basis.<\/p>\n

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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n

How should I use Viagra for better results?<\/h3>\n

To use Viagra for better results, follow these guidelines:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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  • Take Viagra about 30 to 60 minutes before sexual activity on an empty stomach for faster onset.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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    • Avoid heavy meals or excessive alcohol, as they can delay the medication\u2019s effectiveness.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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      • Use as prescribed by your healthcare provider, and never exceed the recommended dosage.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        \u00a0<\/span>How to buy Viagra online?<\/h3>\n

        To <\/span>buy Viagra online, follow these steps:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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        • Obtain a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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          • Choose a reputable online pharmacy that requires prescriptions and ensures product authenticity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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            • Complete the purchase through secure payment methods, ensuring you\u2019re on a trusted website to avoid counterfeit products.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              What is the process of getting a Viagra prescription online?<\/h3>\n

              The process of getting a Viagra prescription online typically involves:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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              • Completing a health questionnaire or consulting with a licensed healthcare provider virtually.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                • The provider reviews your medical history and may issue a prescription if Viagra is deemed suitable.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                  • You can then <\/span>buy Viagra online from licensed p<\/span>harmacies with the prescription.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    \u00a0<\/span>Can Viagra pills be used to enhance athletic performance?<\/h3>\n

                    While Viagra is commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction, some athletes have explored its potential to enhance performance due to its blood flow-enhancing properties. However, its use for athletic performance is not FDA-approved and could pose health risks. Always consult a healthcare provider before considering Viagra for non-medical uses.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n