Independiente players opt for male enhancement products to combat altitude

Sitting 2,600 metres above sea level, Bogota's El Campin Stadium has been known to trouble opponents dealing with altitude-related issues, and Argentinian outfit Independiente has a sturdy plan to resist the consequences.

And that plan involves a little blue pill.

As a means to combat the head-spinning affects of playing at altitude, Independiente players will opt for sildanefil (commonly known as Viagra) to stimulate blood flow for their Copa Sudamerica match against Colombian side Sante Fe.

"We will give them a treatment with sildenafil before the match and on the day of the match," team physician Luis Chiaradia told Radio Argentina.

"Sildenafil helps lung circulation. With more blood being pumped into the lungs, it has benefits with regard to the adjustment to high altitude."

Full credit to the club for their unconventional approach to combating altitude, but they're not the first to try it, with rivals River Plate starting the trend.

"River got good results. The experience that has been had with this protocol is very good,” Chiaradia added.

"They (the players) are going to take 50 milligrams of sildenafil the day before the match and 50m the day of the match."