Leading Peruvian football club Alianza Lima is considering the possibility of giving its players Viagra during matches played at altitude in the local championships.
Alianza Lima's footballers celebrate at the Nacional stadium in Lima, on March 13, 2012. Leading Peruvian football club Alianza Lima is considering the possibility of giving its players Viagra during matches played at altitude in the local championships.
In a country where some Peruvian league matches take place in towns between 2,700 and 3,300 metres, Alianza players could be looking at reaping the benefits from the erectile dysfunction drug.
"When we were in Spain during pre-season, we talked with the club doctor and he explained to us that Viagra could help improve the physical conditioning of players at altitude," coach Wilmar Valencia said.
If results showed that the male potency pill enhanced on-field performances, "the club would use it", Valencia vowed.
The Alianza club doctor, Dr Blacido, said Viagra helped the heart pump more blood, thus allowing better oxygenisation, without it falling foul of anti-doping measures.
According to Dr Blacido, clubs like Brazil's Gremio already use Viagra for matches played at altitude.