Caffeine Boosts Sports Performance
January 4, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Where you aware that caffeine is currently legal in Olympic sports, but restricted in college and high school athletics. Several studies have revealed that caffeine, even in small doses, increases performance in high intensity and endurance sports, reduces fatigue, improves concentration, and enhances mental alertness. However, scientific studies disagree on how well caffeine works as a performance-enhancing supplement during high intensity exercise.
Caffeine: supplement for increasing strength
A British study led by Mark Glaister from St.Mary’s University College revealed that caffeine (average of 385 milligrams) increased performance during repetitive short sprints (12 x 30-meter sprints repeated 35-second intervals).
Caffeine increased peak sprint performance by 0.06 seconds compared to a placebo (fake caffeine), a increase up tof 1.4%. Caffeine also delayed fatigue during the exercise by 1.2%. However, caffeine didn’t make the sprints appear easier (perceived exertion), but it increased the rate of the heart r more than the placebo. Caffeine had only a little effect on repetitive sprint performance. This can actually mean the difference between winning and losing.
Source: Medicine Science Sports Exercise, 40: 1835-1840, 2008
