That little blue performance enhancer

Fox Sports | Riders go harder on Viagra

A current study suggests cyclists on Viagra could see their performance boosted by as much as 45 percent.

The study claims rider performance could improve on one section of road from a 1 hour ride to just 39 minutes.

Viagra, marketed as an erectile-dysfunction drug, was originally developed to treat pulmonary hypertension, and dilates the user's blood vessels, increasing blood flow.

The study was focused on the sapping effect of altitude on athletic performance on some riders. It found that Viagra enabled those most affected by altitude to perform more in line with those not affected. Riders who were more comfortable at altitude saw little or no improvement.

Viagra is not currently a banned substance, but could be added if evidence accumulates that it improves athletic performance.

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“The participants told us that while they were riding the bike they didn't know whether they were on the drug or not,” Dr Friedlander said.

“However, what they did say was that in the showers afterwards they pretty much knew which pill they had been given.”