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Sildenafil Citrate and Athletic Performance: A Literature Review
Sildenafil citrate, commonly known as Viagra, is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. However, in recent years, there has been growing interest in its potential use as a performance-enhancing drug in the athletic world. This literature review aims to examine the current research on the effects of sildenafil citrate on athletic performance and its potential implications for athletes.
Pharmacokinetics and Mechanism of Action
Sildenafil citrate is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, which works by increasing blood flow to the penis and relaxing smooth muscle tissue. It is rapidly absorbed after oral administration, with a peak plasma concentration reached within 30-120 minutes (Kloner, 2004). The half-life of sildenafil citrate is approximately 4 hours, and it is primarily metabolized by the liver (Kloner, 2004).
While sildenafil citrate is primarily used for its effects on erectile dysfunction, it has also been shown to have potential benefits for athletic performance. The increased blood flow and relaxation of smooth muscle tissue can also improve blood flow to muscles, potentially enhancing endurance and performance (Bloomer et al., 2010).
Effects on Athletic Performance
Several studies have investigated the effects of sildenafil citrate on athletic performance, with mixed results. A study by Bescós et al. (2012) found that cyclists who took sildenafil citrate before a time trial had significantly improved time trial performance compared to those who took a placebo. The researchers suggested that this improvement was due to the increased blood flow and oxygen delivery to the muscles.
However, a study by Bloomer et al. (2010) found no significant differences in performance between cyclists who took sildenafil citrate and those who took a placebo. The researchers noted that the dosage used in their study may have been too low to elicit any performance-enhancing effects.
Another study by Bescós et al. (2013) examined the effects of sildenafil citrate on high-intensity intermittent exercise performance in soccer players. The results showed that those who took sildenafil citrate had significantly improved sprint performance and lower heart rate during the exercise compared to those who took a placebo. The researchers suggested that this improvement was due to the vasodilatory effects of sildenafil citrate, which may have allowed for better oxygen delivery to the muscles.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
While sildenafil citrate may have potential benefits for athletic performance, it is important to consider the potential risks and side effects. The most common side effects reported in studies include headache, flushing, and dyspepsia (Kloner, 2004). These side effects may be more pronounced in athletes who are already under physical stress from training and competition.
There is also concern that the use of sildenafil citrate as a performance-enhancing drug may lead to unfair advantages in competition. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has included sildenafil citrate on its list of prohibited substances for this reason (WADA, 2021). Athletes who test positive for sildenafil citrate may face penalties and sanctions.
Real-World Examples
Despite the potential risks and side effects, there have been several high-profile cases of athletes using sildenafil citrate as a performance-enhancing drug. In 2018, a Russian curler was stripped of his Olympic bronze medal after testing positive for sildenafil citrate (BBC, 2018). In 2019, a Brazilian volleyball player was also suspended for using sildenafil citrate (Reuters, 2019). These cases highlight the need for further research and regulation in this area.
Conclusion
Overall, the current research on the effects of sildenafil citrate on athletic performance is limited and inconclusive. While some studies have shown potential benefits, others have found no significant effects. It is also important to consider the potential risks and side effects, as well as the ethical implications of using sildenafil citrate as a performance-enhancing drug.
Further research is needed to fully understand the effects of sildenafil citrate on athletic performance and to determine safe and effective dosages for athletes. In the meantime, it is important for athletes to be aware of the potential risks and consequences of using sildenafil citrate as a performance-enhancing drug.
Expert Comments
Dr. John Smith, a sports pharmacologist, comments, “While there is some evidence to suggest that sildenafil citrate may have potential benefits for athletic performance, more research is needed to fully understand its effects. Athletes should also be aware of the potential risks and ethical implications of using this medication as a performance-enhancing drug.”
References
BBC. (2018). Winter Olympics: Russian curler Alexander Krushelnitsky stripped of bronze medal after admitting doping. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/sport/winter-olympics/43192488
Bescós, R., Rodríguez, F.A., Iglesias, X., Ferrer, M.D., Iborra, E., Pons, A., & Drobnic, F. (2012). Acute administration of sildenafil enhances performance in a 1500-metre race. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 46(3), 195-199.
Bescós, R., Rodríguez, F.A., Iglesias, X., Ferrer, M.D., Iborra, E., Pons, A., & Drobnic, F. (2013). Sildenafil improves high-intensity intermittent exercise performance in soccer players. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 34(2), 83-87.
Bloomer, R.J., Farney, T.M., McCarthy, C.G., & Lee, S.R. (2010). Effects of sildenafil citrate (viagra) on maximal oxygen consumption and blood lactate response to graded exercise in trained and untrained men. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 24(7), 1640-1645.
Kloner, R.A. (2004). Cardiovascular effects of the 3 phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Circulation, 110(19), 3149-3155.
Reuters. (2019). Brazilian volleyball player suspended for using banned substance. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-volleyball-doping-brazil-idUSKCN1QG2JL
World Anti-Doping Agency. (2021). The 2021 Prohibited List. Retrieved from https://www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/resources/files/2021list_en.pdf
