Caffeine and athletic endurance

CAFFEINE in a cup of coffee may offer the same endurance benefits as caffeine pills, according to a review study conducted by University of Georgia doctoral student, Simon Higgins.

From over 600 scholarly articles he reviewed, Mr Higgins used those that focused only on caffeinated-coffee conditions, measured the caffeine dose and measured an endurance performance. Of these, nine randomized control trials specifically used coffee to improve endurance.

He found that between 3 and 7mg per kilogram of body weight of caffeine from coffee increased endurance performance by an average of 24 percent. The amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee can vary from 75 mg to more than 150, depending on the variety and how it’s roasted and brewed.

In the nine trials, participants either cycled or ran after drinking coffee. They then exercised vigorously and the results were measured. In a majority of cases, endurance was noticeably improved after the use of coffee.

More research is needed on the use of caffeine from coffee versus pure caffeine. Mr Higgins warns that athletes should know how much caffeine is in their coffee. “Athletes should run their caffeine use through their sports dietician as the NCAA lists it as a banned substance.”