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Effect of tadalafil on anaerobic performance indices in healthy athletes
  1. L Guidetti,
  2. G P Emerenziani,
  3. M C Gallotta,
  4. F Pigozzi,
  5. L Di Luigi,
  6. C Baldari
  1. Department of Health Sciences, University IUSM of Rome, Italy
  1. Professor C Baldari, Istituto Universitario di Scienze Motorie (IUSM), Piazza Lauro De Bosis, 15, 00194 Roma, Italy; carlo.baldari{at}iusm.it

Abstract

Objective: Given the therapeutic and non-therapeutic use of the tadalafil, (phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, PDE-5i), we examined its effects on anaerobic performance indices.

Methods: In total, 12 well-trained subjects reported to the laboratory on two occasions 1 week apart to perform a 30 s Wingate anaerobic power test (WAnT) on a bicycle ergometer. The day before the WAnT, the subjects were double-blinded to receive an oral dose of tadalafil (20 mg) or placebo. Blood lactate value at rest and 1, 3, 6 and 10 minutes of recovery phase, mean power, peak power, time to peak power and fatigue index were assessed for each WAnT.

Results: Blood lactate values at the 3-min recovery WAnT increased significantly in the tadalafil condition (mean (SD) 13.9 (1.7) v 12.8 (1.3) mmol/l; p<0.05) and time to peak power decreased significantly (6.3 (1.3) v 5.7 (1.5) s; p = 0.05). No differences were observed in any other parameters between the two conditions.

Conclusion: The primary finding of this investigation was that the administration of a single dose of a long-term PDE-5i does not substantially influence anaerobic performance indices. However, results demonstrated both an increase in lactate values at the 3-min point of the recovery phase and a decrease in time to peak power.

  • PDE-5i
  • erectile dysfunction
  • sport
  • nitric oxide

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Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None.