http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/articl ... t-up-20345

This backs up what Lys mentioned quite a while ago although it seems the benefits are only experienced at altitude where Oxygen is restricted.

It's also useful for others to get a hand hold when climbing

simon m wrote:It's also useful for others to get a hand hold when climbing

Taking it for climbing! Now why didn't I think of that!

Yeah, you really notice the improved capacity at altitude. I don't think I ever said, but once we finished the trial a group of us went mountaineering and it suddenly became obvious which of us had been on the viagra, because suddenly they couldn't do anything, we practically had to carry one girl down off the mountain.

I bet high dose Arginine (or AAKG) would do something similar as it basically causes the same things to happen in the body (only without the sides).

GymBunny wrote:Yeah, you really notice the improved capacity at altitude. I don't think I ever said, but once we finished the trial a group of us went mountaineering and it suddenly became obvious which of us had been on the viagra, because suddenly they couldn't do anything, we practically had to carry one girl down off the mountain.

Am I reading that right? The people who *had* tried viagra encountered difficulties, or those who didn't?

I think you read right - those that had been using had trouble once they had stopped. I guess not having that boost of extra CV capacity took it's toll as adadption was artificial as opposed to a natural adaption to conditions.

I'm not about to start necking Viagra, but I am interested in any supplement that might help one adapt to altitude; I'm doing a race out in France in early July and the start line is at 12,000ft, so there's very little oxygen up there, and as we'll only be in town for a week it's not long enough for your EPO count to rise appreciably. Det's mention of AAKG is interesting, does anyone else have any suggestions?

Alex wrote:I think you read right - those that had been using had trouble once they had stopped. I guess not having that boost of extra CV capacity took it's toll as adadption was artificial as opposed to a natural adaption to conditions.

Bingo! Those that been on Viagra experienced practically (bar 2 of them) negative effects once reaching altitude, whilst those of us who were not had to physiologically adapt. Those taking viagra exerienced vasodilation of the blood vessels and improved oxygen carrying capacity, but because of this their bodies didn't go through the adaptation progress and they really suffered.

I reckon you should adapt normally for the first week or so, but then the viagra could give an extra "boost" on top of that for sporting endurance.

I'll just point out that everyone who was taking viagra was on a much smaller dose, spread equally throughout the day. The study was a double blind so we all took the same amount of pills, just some of us were on placebos and no one knew what they were taking.

Spit I'd take beta alanine to help with endurance. I'm not sure AAKG is a good idea as it can pump you up too much leading to cramps.

And I'm not sure Viagra's a good idea in lycra cycling shorts.

Rorschach wrote:And I'm not sure Viagra's a good idea in lycra cycling shorts.

I don't think Lycra is a good idea full stop: I'm proud to say that I've never worn the stuff in my life.
(I just ride naked.)


Si- Cheers, will be taking BA anyway to help with the horrific arm pump you get while Alpine downhilling, but am specifically interested in anything that will help with the altitude. I remember the first year we stayed in Alpe D'Huez, carrying my suitcase up the stairs in the hotel and then having to stop for a breather!