Abstract
Jacobs, Kevin A., Jochen Kressler, Mark Stoutenberg, Bernard A. Roos, and Anne L. Friedlander. Sildenafil has little influence on cardiovascular hemodynamics or 6-km time trial performance in trained men and women at simulated high altitude.
High Alt. Med. Biol.
12: 215–222, 2011.—Sildenafil improves maximal exercise capacity at high altitudes (∼4350–5800 m) by reducing pulmonary arterial pressure and enhancing oxygen delivery, but the effects on exercise performance at less severe altitudes are less clear.
Purpose:
To determine the effects of sildenafil on cardiovascular hemodynamics (heart rate, stroke volume, and cardiac output), arterial oxygen saturation (Sa
O
2
), and 6-km time-trial performance of endurance-trained men and women at a simulated altitude of ∼3900 m.
Methods:
Twenty men and 15 women, endurance-trained, completed one experimental exercise trial (30 min at 55% of altitude-specific capacity +6-km time trial) at sea level (SL) and two trials at simulated high altitude (HA) while breathing hypoxic gas (12.8% F
I
o
2
) after ingestion of either placebo or 50 mg sildenafil in double-blind, randomized, and counterbalanced fashion.
Results:
Maximal exercise capacity and Sa
O
2
were significantly reduced at HA compared to SL (18%–23%), but sildenafil did not significantly improve cardiovascular hemodynamics or time-trial performance in either men or women compared to placebo and only improved Sa
O
2
in women (4%). One male subject (5% of male subjects, 2.8% of all subjects) exhibited a meaningful 36-s improvement in time-trial performance with sildenafil compared to placebo.
Conclusions:
In this group of endurance trained men and women, sildenafil had very little influence on cardiovascular hemodynamics, Sa
O
2
, and 6-km time-trial performance at a simulated altitude of ∼3900 m. It appears that a very small percentage of endurance-trained men and women derive meaningful improvements in aerobic performance from sildenafil at a simulated altitude of ∼3900 m.
