Viagra Enhances Athletic Performance?

Posted by: Curt | Under: 40's/fit, 50's/fit, General Fitness, Health, Prime/fit, Sports, Supplements | (0) Comments

Well, I wouldn’t have guessed this would come up (no pun intended), but apparently Viagra is being used not only to enhance performance in the bedroom, but also for certain sports. Crazy…

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Athletes looking for a performance boost are increasingly turning to a little blue pill more usually taken for its off-the-field benefits: Viagra.

Some sports authorities say the drug is now finding a following among athletes.

The World Anti-Doping Agency is currently studying Viagra’s effects in athletes, but hasn’t yet banned it. Experts are divided over whether it actually offers athletes an edge.

…The drug works by increasing the effects of nitric oxide, which makes blood vessels expand. That should theoretically allow blood cells to travel to the lungs more efficiently and to also receive more oxygen. It may also improve heart function.

…”Just because you have more nitric oxide doesn’t mean that you are going to be a better athlete,” Butch said. “If you have all the nitric oxide you need, and if you generate more from Viagra, it’s not clear what effect that would have.”

Still, some preliminary studies have shown that cyclists taking Viagra improved their performances by up to 40 percent.

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Hmmm. Let’s hope we don’t see any unintended “side-effects” during the Olympics.