What can make Athletes More Competitive?

[silver77]

After reading allot of the threads I figured I could ask this here and see what experts have to say on this. I have been hearing allot of talk about what can make athletes more competitive? Everything from Viagra to Human Growth Hormone? I am an athlete and try my best to keep fit and on a healthy diet but which are the best ways to be more competitive? Is it true that Viagra can even make one more competitive? I thought is was used for other issues that I will not mention here?

Thanks

 

[berkeman]

After reading allot of the threads I figured I could ask this here and see what experts have to say on this. I have been hearing allot of talk about what can make athletes more competitive? Everything from Viagra to Human Growth Hormone? I am an athlete and try my best to keep fit and on a healthy diet but which are the best ways to be more competitive? Is it true that Viagra can even make one more competitive? I thought is was used for other issues that I will not mention here?

Thanks

Welcome to the PF, and to the Medical Sciences sub-forum. Certainly some chemicals and supplements can help performance in different ways. Glucosamine can ease joint pain, for example, and help you run more comfortably, and hence better.

As you know, most professional sports have lists of substances that are not allowed in their athletes. Those lists are a good starting point for you, depending on what workouts you like to do, and what competitions you plan. Even if you're not getting drug tested, the bans are there because the substances generally can cause some harm to your body, even though they can improve the body in some ways.

You can gain a tremendous amount of performance improvement with good coaching, good diet, and progressive training. What sports are you involved in right now?

 

[silver77]

Thanks for the fast reply! I am a cyclist and practice very hard, have never even looked into Glucosamine but thanks for mentioning it, going to do research on it now. Sometimes I just wonder if some of my competitors are doing something that I am not, there are about 8 that always have a lead on me and after reading http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Story?id=5039675&page=1" yesterday I have been researching allot on this issue and would appreciate any advice.

Thanks

 

[berkeman]

Interesting article. But I'd really have to wonder about taking Viagra to improve baseball performance... "If, after taking Viagra, you experience an erection lasting more than four hours, get down off the mound, head for the locker room, and summon the trainer..."

 

[silver77]

If, after taking Viagra, you experience an erection lasting more than four hours, get down off the mound, head for the locker room, and summon the trainer..."

LOL jajajajaja, that's what I thought at first but I have read several of these articles http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25409440/" , more and more athletes are doing it, that's why I sometimes think that the guys ahead of me are on it! Guess I should look for signs :uhh: In one of those articles it even mentions that so many athletes are doing it that they may need to add it to the ban list!

I still do not get it though, I though it just makes your blood thinner or something? How can this benefit athletes?

 

[berkeman]

I still do not get it though, I though it just makes your blood thinner or something? How can this benefit athletes?

I didn't read all the articles, but my main take-away for Viagra as an EMT (without ED) is that it is a vasodilator. Increased blood flow throughout the body means more efficient oxygenation of the muscles. The downside is restricted motion of the legs when wearing tight-fitting gear. Can you imagine a catcher who wants to use Viagra to help his hitting? Ouch! (for the non-baseball folks, catchers wear hard plastic cups to protect against baseball hits -- no room for an erection)

 

[silver77]

Makes perfect sense to me, thanks again for all your responses, really helped :)

 

[gravenewworld]

Supposedly caffeine right before lifting weights etc. can help increase the threshold before fatigue sets in.