Viagra Enhances Performance
Viagra Significantly Improved Cardiovascular & Exercise Performance
Mar 27, 2008
How deliciously ironic it is. In 2002, Major League Baseball and Pizer officials were in the process of deciding which player would be offered the opportunity to become the spokesperson for Sildenafil, which is Viagra. After rejecting Barry Bonds because he was considered too risky and deciding that Matt Williams and Tom Glavine were not right, Rafael Palmeiro was selected. Hindsight has revealed that was not a good choice because Raffy and the steroid Stanozolol, known by its brand name, Winstrol, were linked forever.
Viagra Improved Public Athletic Performance
Viagra is a performance-enhancing drug, but few suspected that its effectiveness extended to public athletic performances. In June, 2006, a study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology reported that "Sildenafil (Viagra) significantly improved the cardiovascular and exercise performance measures of trained cyclists at high altitude" The drug helped some cyclists improve by as much as 45%, while others received no benefits. At sea level, there was no improvement. Viagra causes lung tissues to relax, which improves blood flow and increases oxygen transport to muscles, which is a problem at higher altitudes.
Four of Ten Cyclists Benefitted
The ten participants in the study performed 10 cycling trials, with and without Viagra, at sea level and again at a simulated altitude of 12,800 feet. The cyclists didn't know whether a specific trial included a placebo or one of the two Viagra doses of either 50mg or 100mg. Four of the ten cyclists showed significant improvement with Viagra, which suggests that responders who experienced a greater degree of constriction of the vessels in the lungs at high altitudes benefited more from the vessel relaxation effects of Viagra.
Denver, the Mile High City
This brings us to baseball and performance enhancing drugs. Is it possible that some baseball players use Viagra? Is it possible that some players experience constriction of vessels in the lungs at high altitudes? Is it possible that some of those players were involved in games played in Denver, the mile high city? Is it possible that some players, especially pitchers, had their performances enhanced by using Viagra? Baseball’s former spokesperson, Raffy, has said, "I don't know who takes it. But I know it's a lot."
Could Viagra Use Be Banned?
Major League Baseball has a terrible drug problem that involves some of its greatest records. Did Mark and Barry set new single season home run records with the help of performance enhancing drugs? Were Roger’s and Sammy’s accomplishments helped by drugs? Did Jose introduce Alex to a source of steroids? The player’s union is cooperating with Major League Baseball in addressing the problem. They are willing to ban human growth hormone, androstenedione, testosterone, Winstrol, etc., but what will happen if further research confirms Viagra’s effectiveness in enhancing athletic performance at high altitudes. Will those in power ban its use and risk incurring the wrath of baseball Annies and baseball wives?
An Absurd Situation
A drug policy must be consistent. If steroids are banned, then how can not banning Viagra be allowed? Is there a test for Viagra use? Don’t answer that. The fact that Viagra enhances cyclists’ performances at high altitudes illustrates the absurdity of the situation.
If a twenty eight-year-old pitcher’s pituitary gland produces large quantities of growth hormone naturally, and it does, what is wrong with being injected with growth hormone when he is ten years older? If ingesting arginine and ornithine, two amino acids legally purchased over the counter and found in many protein-containing foods increases growth hormone production, why are athletes allowed to ingest GH precursors but not allowed to be injected with GH in the abdomen? Having trouble coming up with consistent responses?
References:
Viagra Improves High Altitude Exercise Performance Up to 45% For Some
Viagra No Laughing Matter For Palmeiro
