Road Bike Racing - Medications and potential impact on VO2 Max

I was on both Naproxen (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory med similar to Advil) and anti biotics recently after a root canal procedure. Does anyone know if there is a website discussing the potential impact of various meds on VO2 Max in athletes - positive or negative? We all know EPO enhances VO2 Max. Can common meds we all occasionally take from Advil to antibiotics degrade VO2 Max?

My Bag of Excuses cannot possibly withstand zero responses to my Original Post. You guys are friggin killing me.

i wonder if there is an over the counter med that will boost VO2 =)

The makers of Optygen say that it works, you can buy a 30 day supply for $35 on Amazon. Right next to the Snake Oil and the Brooklyn Bridge. And yes, of course I take it.

I'm too tired from hard training today. I can't think of anything. Sorry.

I'm too tired from hard training today. I can't think of anything. Sorry.

That is an acceptable excuse. No apologies necessary. Why are you training this hard in late September?

Preseason started. Spring Series is just around the corner.

There's at least one medication I have heard of that affects VO2max negatively (and permanantly!) but I can't remember what it is. It is something heinous, not routine antibiotics. I can tell you from experience that Prednisone will cause your heart rate to go to the moon on even small hills.

Preseason started. Spring Series is just around the corner.

Gary, if you don't shut up I'll be forced to hire my neighbor the large construction dude to go over there and beat the crap out of you. Don't worry, he'll have instructions to not harm your legs (the Team always comes first).

My Vo2 max went up from 55 to 61. I got sick and lost 11% of my body weight. It worked for Lance, it worked for me. I don't recommend it....all things considered

Here's an easy one. Sudafed. Better yet, Sudafed and an expresso. The downside is a heart attack, which is a bummer.

http://coachsci.sdsu.edu/csa/vol86/weisenth.htm

There's at least one medication I have heard of that affects VO2max negatively (and permanantly!) but I can't remember what it is. It is something heinous, not routine antibiotics. I can tell you from experience that Prednisone will cause your heart rate to go to the moon on even small hills.
Thats good to know, eric. I'm currently taking 4-20mg tabs prednisone daily (as well as some antibiotics, an antihistamine and a corticosteroid nasal spray) for bronchitis. I'll keep an eye out for the 200 bpm peak on tomorrows ride!

Yep, got to love that Prednisone. Road a quick 35 min loop just now, average HR was about 10-11 bpm higher, maxed out at 169 (normally, I might reach 163, if I'm stomping up a hill). At least I'm not tired!

http://www.athleteinme.com/ArticleView.aspx?id=306

says impact of NSAIDS on VO2 max has been speculated about but never shown

"None of the pain medications discussed here appear to have documented ergogenic effects. Interestingly, NSAIDs have been shown to increase the production of adenosine. Adenosine, in turn, stimulates capillary growth (Simpson RE, et al. 1992). Increased capillary growth is synonymous with more efficient oxygen uptake, suggesting the possibility that repeated use of a NSAID over a period of several weeks might boost an athlete’s VO2max. However, this has never been demonstrated."

What about anti-biotics?

That is an acceptable excuse. No apologies necessary. Why are you training this hard in late September?

One more race with a $2000 purse.
Then it's all about enjoying the bike again.

What about anti-biotics?

Well, if you take enough to kill all the flora in your intestines, I'm sure your W/kg will go up, if you aren't so dehydrated you can't ride.

I'm looking for excuses here. You guys aren't helping.

I'm looking for excuses here. You guys aren't helping.

Oh that's easy.

Blood loss from procedure was nearly life threatening. Hematocrit is in the toilet. Were you not a towering bastion of aerobic fitness, you couldn't even walk. The fact that you can ride at all merely demonstrates your prodigious nads.

That work?

Here's an easy one. Sudafed. Better yet, Sudafed and an expresso. The downside is a heart attack, which is a bummer.

http://coachsci.sdsu.edu/csa/vol86/weisenth.htm


wow, sudafed, one ingredient is titanium dioxide. same stuff in deodorant right? lol

wow, sudafed, one ingredient is titanium dioxide. same stuff in deodorant right? lol
And you can use it ti di as a very effective sunblock (but I think the stuff in deodorant is aluminum something or other).

Ibuprofen can and will hinder muscle recovery after a hard workout. Naproxen won't. Some people say a little aspirin is good for performance, as pain tolerance is higher and the blood is easier to pump around your system.