Effect of Caffeine on Athletes During Endurance Sports
The Effect of Caffeine on Athletes during Endurance Sports
Caffeine is a mild stimulant that is found naturally in at least 63 plant species. Caffeine can be found in the leaves, stems, seeds, and roots of these various plants. It is also part of the methylxanthine family. Caffeine consists of a xanthine molecule with three methyl groups attached to it (Wikipedia). Caffeine can be found in many products like sodas, tea, and coffee, but it also occurs in several other products such as prescription medications, diuretics, and pain relievers.
Caffeine is a common substance in the diets of most athletes. It is now appearing in many new products, including energy drinks, sport gels, alcoholic beverages and diet aids. It can be an effective ergogenic aid and could be beneficial in training and in competition. Although caffeine does not improve maximal oxygen capacity directly, it could allow the athlete to train at a greater level of power and it could also allow the athlete to train longer. These effects have been found in activities that last as little as 60 seconds or as long as 2 hours. Research has shown that caffeine has shown signs of enhancing endurance and creating a higher resistance to fatigue for athletes. Every individual’s body could have a different reaction to caffeine in the body. This is why it is very important to remember that caffeine can provide negative effects on a athlete’s body just as well as positive effects.
Research on anything entering one’s body is very important. Reactions to food, drugs, and chemicals vary greatly among each individual. Therefore, one should find it imperative to have knowledge on every possible effect that something could have on one’s body. Athletes, in particular, should find it very important to know the effects of anything they are consuming. An athlete’s body is in constant training and the performance of an athlete’s body always depended on greatly.
The central nervous system
Caffeine is a mild stimulant that is found naturally in at least 63 plant species. Caffeine can be found in the leaves, stems, seeds, and roots of these various plants. It is also part of the methylxanthine family. Caffeine consists of a xanthine molecule with three methyl groups attached to it (Wikipedia). Caffeine can be found in many products like sodas, tea, and coffee, but it also occurs in several other products such as prescription medications, diuretics, and pain relievers.
Caffeine is a common substance in the diets of most athletes. It is now appearing in many new products, including energy drinks, sport gels, alcoholic beverages and diet aids. It can be an effective ergogenic aid and could be beneficial in training and in competition. Although caffeine does not improve maximal oxygen capacity directly, it could allow the athlete to train at a greater level of power and it could also allow the athlete to train longer. These effects have been found in activities that last as little as 60 seconds or as long as 2 hours. Research has shown that caffeine has shown signs of enhancing endurance and creating a higher resistance to fatigue for athletes. Every individual’s body could have a different reaction to caffeine in the body. This is why it is very important to remember that caffeine can provide negative effects on a athlete’s body just as well as positive effects.
Research on anything entering one’s body is very important. Reactions to food, drugs, and chemicals vary greatly among each individual. Therefore, one should find it imperative to have knowledge on every possible effect that something could have on one’s body. Athletes, in particular, should find it very important to know the effects of anything they are consuming. An athlete’s body is in constant training and the performance of an athlete’s body always depended on greatly.
The central nervous system
Bibliography: "Caffeine and the Endurance Athlete." Training Peaks. 2009. PacificHealth Laboratories "Coffee: For most, it 's safe.." Harvard Women 's Health Watch 12(2004): 2-4. Graham, T.E.. "Caffeine and Exercise: Metabolism, Endurance and Performance." Journal of the Sports Medicine 31(2001): 785-807. Graham, T.E.. "Metabolic and exercise endurance effects of coffee and caffeine ingestion." Journal of the Applied Physiology 85 (1998): 883-889. 4:11(2007).