Medical What can make Athletes More Competitive?

  • Thread starter Thread starter silver77
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the quest for competitive advantages in athletics, particularly regarding the use of substances like Viagra and Human Growth Hormone. Participants explore the potential benefits of various supplements, noting that while some, like glucosamine, can aid in joint health, many performance-enhancing substances are banned in professional sports due to health risks. The conversation highlights the misconception that Viagra is solely for erectile dysfunction; it is recognized as a vasodilator that can improve blood flow and oxygenation to muscles, potentially enhancing athletic performance. However, concerns about its practicality in sports, especially for athletes in tight gear, are raised. The importance of proper training, coaching, and nutrition is emphasized as fundamental to improving competitiveness, alongside the consideration of ethical implications and health risks associated with using banned substances.
silver77
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
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
 
Biology news on Phys.org
silver77 said:
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?
 
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
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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..."
 
berkeman said:
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 :rolleyes: 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?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
silver77 said:
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)
 
Makes perfect sense to me, thanks again for all your responses, really helped :)
 
Supposedly caffeine right before lifting weights etc. can help increase the threshold before fatigue sets in.
 

Similar threads

Medical What Are the Dangers of Blindly Trusting Medical Professionals?
Replies
4
Views
2K
How to make an accurate and consistent turret for this projectile competition?
Replies
12
Views
2K
Medical Nutrition label stuffs and diets
Replies
6
Views
4K
Medical Which home BP monitors take the pressures on the way up?
Replies
6
Views
2K
Schools Can I still be competitive at a small school?
Replies
22
Views
2K
Which Athlete Can Do the Most Work? | Jimbo
Replies
19
Views
3K
The Rise of Incentivized Competitions for Humanity
Replies
14
Views
3K
On Progress Toward AGI
Replies
19
Views
1K
Medical How Do Surgeons Perform Lung Transplants on Patients with Reversed Organs?
Replies
3
Views
2K
Medical Another Red Meat Consumption Study
Replies
6
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top