South America

Brazilian Club Wonders If Viagra Boosts Performance?

Some shocking revelations from the medical staff of Brazilian side Gremio, who want to supply Viagra pills to their players in order to improve their performances.

Jan 13, 2009 11:42:28 AM

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Alarico Endres, who is responsible for Gremio's medical sector, has discovered that Viagra might actually have more than one use.

Apart from its obvious 'sexual enhancement', the famous blue pill could also help footballers perform better when playing in stadiums that are at a high altitude.

"Viagra increases and improves the blood circulation," explained Endres.

"It therefore can improve the performances of players at high altitude.

"I had this illumination by reading a magazine, which wasn't a medical one: so we decided to elaborate this topic with a scientific test, and now we shall also give an indication to the technical commission."

Gremio's medical staff are expected to provide this pill to their players during the games of the Copa Libertadores, in particular when the matches are played above 2,500 metres in Bolivia.

Viagra is currently not present on the list of prohibited substances, but following the sales boom during the Olympics in Peking, a group of experts are carrying out some research in the United States to study its doping effects.

Glenn Debattista, Goal.com