Effect of tadalafil on anaerobic performance indices in healthy athletes.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Guidetti
L
L
Department of Health Sciences, University IUSM of Rome, Italy.
Emerenziani
G P
GP
Gallotta
M C
MC
Pigozzi
F
F
Di Luigi
L
L
Baldari
C
C
D015308:Anaerobic Threshold / Q000187:drug effects*; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D002243:Carbolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000068581:Tadalafil
D002243:Carbolines; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D019344:Lactic Acid; D000068581:Tadalafil