What if there was a way to improve performance under hypoxic conditions? A pill that could help climbers improve their exercise tolerance?

A study listed in the Annals of Internal Medicine have tested the pill, sildenafil, on participants in hypoxic environments. For those who may not know, sildenafil is also known as Viagra, which is usually used to treat erectile dysfunction and help lower blood pressure. Sildenafil is known as a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, meaning it blocks the action of cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase on cyclic GMP in smooth muscle (such as the blood vessels) leading to vasodilation.

With the help of sildenafil, participants in the study had a significant increase in their oxygen saturation and maximum workload during exercise compared to those who only had a placebo pill. Sildenafil also reduced hypoxic pulmonary hypertension at rest and during exercise, and overall increased exercise capacity during hypoxia. So, next time you plan on climbing a tall mountain, get some sildenafil to bring with you.

Ghofrani HA, Reichenberger F, Kohstall MG, Mrosek EH, Seeger T, Olschewski H, et al. Sildenafil Increased Exercise Capacity during Hypoxia at Low Altitudes and at Mount Everest Base Camp: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial. Ann Intern Med. ;141:169–177. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-141-3-200408030-00005