Caffeine Use in Sports: Considerations for the Athlete

Abstract

The ergogenic effects of caffeine on athletic performance have been shown in many studies, and its broad range of metabolic, hormonal, and physiologic effects has been recorded, as this review of the literature shows. However, few caffeine studies have been published to include cognitive and physiologic considerations for the athlete. The following practical recommendations consider the global effects of caffeine on the body: Lower doses can be as effective as higher doses during exercise performance without any negative coincidence; after a period of cessation, restarting caffeine intake at a low amount before performance can provide the same ergogenic effects as acute intake; caffeine can be taken gradually at low doses to avoid tolerance during the course of 3 or 4 days, just before intense training to sustain exercise intensity; and caffeine can improve cognitive aspects of performance, such as concentration, when an athlete has not slept well. Athletes and coaches also must consider how a person's body size, age, gender, previous use, level of tolerance, and the dose itself all influence the ergogenic effects of caffeine on sports performance.

Sports Drinks and Energy Drinks for Children and Adolescents: Are They Appropriate?

“…[9][10][11] However, these effects are extremely variable, dose dependent, and, most importantly, have not been studied in children and adolescents. Ergogenic effects have been reported with doses of 3 to 6 mg/kg.…”

The effects of different doses of caffeine on performance, rating of perceived exertion and pain perception in teenagers female karate athletes

“…Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is a plant alkaloid that occurs naturally in the diet (Sökmen et al, 2008) and nearly 90% of US adults consume caffeine in forms of coffee, tea, or other caffeinated food products (8 cup of coffee may contain 50-200 mg caffeine) (Owens, 2015;Yang, Palmer, De Wit, 2010). In the U.S.A., adults ingest an average of 3 mg/kg of caffeine daily in coffee, tea, caffeinated sodas, and many other drinks and food (Sökmen et al, 2008).…”

“…Taken orally, caffeine reaches a peak plasma concentration of 30-90 min after ingestion, and a halflife has been reported to be 3 to 5 hours with a modest intake of coffee (Sökmen et al, 2008;Spriet, 2014), but longer when the dose exceeds 300 mg; this value may vary among acute and chronic users (Sökmen et al, 2008).…”

“…In the U.S.A., adults ingest an average of 3 mg/kg of caffeine daily in coffee, tea, caffeinated sodas, and many other drinks and food (Sökmen et al, 2008). The popularity of caffeine as an ergogenic aide has increased dramatically over the last decade (Hendrix et al, 2010), Caffeine is the most widely consumed to improve cognitive, physical performance during exercise and has become a popular ergogenic aid among recreational and competitive athletes (Hendrix et al, 2010;Sökmen et al, 2008;Zheng et al, 2014).Caffeine is classified as part of the methylxanthine family of drugs (Cechella et al, 2014;Mohr, Nielsen, Bangsbo, 2011) and is extensively consumed by athletes as an ergogenic aid (Backhouse et al, 2011;Mohr, Nielsen, Bangsbo, 2011) since its removal from the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) prohibited list of substances (Backhouse et al, 2011;Mohr, Nielsen, Bangsbo, 2011). According to the Medical Council of International Olympic Committee (IOC), caffeine is allowed in sports as long as its urinary excretion level is below 12 µg/mL (Bell, Jacobs, Ellerington, 2001).…”

“…The popularity of caffeine as an ergogenic aide has increased dramatically over the last decade (Hendrix et al, 2010), Caffeine is the most widely consumed to improve cognitive, physical performance during exercise and has become a popular ergogenic aid among recreational and competitive athletes (Hendrix et al, 2010;Sökmen et al, 2008;Zheng et al, 2014).…”