Int J Sports Med 2008; 29(2): 110-115
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-965131
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Long-Acting Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor Tadalafil does not Influence Athletes' V·O2max, Aerobic, and Anaerobic Thresholds in Normoxia

L. Di Luigi1 , C. Baldari1 , F. Pigozzi1 , G. P. Emerenziani1 , M. C. Gallotta1 , F. Iellamo2 , E. Ciminelli1 , P. Sgrò1 , F. Romanelli3 , A. Lenzi3 , L. Guidetti1
  • 1Department of Health Sciences, University of Rome IUSM, Rome, Italy
  • 2Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
  • 3Department of Medical Pathophysiology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision January 4, 2007

Publication Date:
05 July 2007 (online)

Abstract

Whereas experimental studies showed that in healthy trained subjects, the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE-5i) sildenafil improves exercise capacity in hypoxia and not in normoxia, no studies on the effects of the long half-life PDE-5i tadalafil exist. In order to evaluate whether tadalafil influences functional parameters and performance during a maximal exercise test in normoxia, we studied 14 healthy male athletes in a double-blind cross-over protocol. Each athlete performed two tests on a cycle ergometer, both after placebo or tadalafil (at therapeutic dose: 20 mg) administration. Oxygen consumption (V·O2), blood lactate, respiratory exchange ratio, rate of perceived exertion, arterial blood pressure (BP), heart frequency (HR) and oxygen pulse (V·O2/HR) were evaluated before exercise, at individual ventilatory and anaerobic thresholds (IVT and IAT), at V·O2max and during recovery. Compared to placebo, a single tadalafil administration significantly reduced systolic BP before and after exercise (p < 0.05), decreased V·O2/HR at IVT (13.3 ± 1.8 vs. 14.5 ± 2.1 mL · beat-1; p = 0.03), but did not modify individual V·O2max, IVT, or IAT. In healthy athletes, 20 mg of tadalafil does not substantially influence physical fitness-related parameters, exercise tolerance, and cardiopulmonary responses to maximal exercise in normoxia; it remains to be verified if higher doses/prolonged use influence health and/or sport performance in field conditions.

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Prof. Luigi Di Luigi

University of Rome IUSM
Department of Health Sciences

00194 Roma

Italy

Fax: + 39 06 36 73 32 31

Email: luigi.diluigi@iusm.it

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