Just watched that Netflix documentary, Icarus, about doping in sports.
Well worth a watch, and it got me to thinking.
Was several years back that I posted about performance enhancing drugs used (illegally) in sports, and how they could benefit us.
First up, I I tried Creatine and Branch Chained Amino Acids.
No discernable effect.
I'm talking specifically about spasticity and muscle strength here. Endurance. Walking, balance, etc
Next, modafinil (banned by the IOC).
Very good for my spasticity, the ability to focus on walking. Commit to a route, stick to it. Modafinil is excellent.
Next, Beta Blockers (banned by the IOC). Great for reducing tremors, and to a certain extent clonus. Helps me relax. Great for spasticity and general walking.
A couple of years back, I had a virus. Completely floored me. So much so, I was wheeled into the hospital in a wheelchair.
It was New Year's Eve, 10pm. Junior doctor. He was flummoxed, so he put me on a saline drip for an hour. Straight after, I was up and on my feet. I strided out of that place.
I always remembered that. And I've just read that just before a race, Lance Armstrong's coach would (illegally) inject him with a hefty dose of saline.
Saline, Who'd-a-thunk it? Performance enhancing.
Of course, Lance was on Anabolic Steroids as well.
Try this :
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
The Anabolic Steroid Oxandrolone improves muscular efficiency and promotes remyelination in a patient with Hereditary Spastic Paraparesia.
Don't try that one at home.
Of course, many athletes (illegally) have blood transfusions before showtime. Either their own blood, or a donor.
All those extra red blood cells, more oxygen to the muscles. Endurance. I could see how that could help us.
Hardly a long-term fix.
And, beetroot juice is a proven performance enhancer. Increases Nitric Oxide levels in the blood.
