Caffeine Research Papers

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Caffeine is the most popular and most widely used stimulant in the world. In Canada, the average person drinks 2.6 cups of coffee a day; that is equivalent to 949 cups of coffee a year. (Van Houtte) Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that improves ones attention, focus, and fatigue. When caffeine is ingested it causes your neurons to move at a faster rate, increasing alertness. (Fit Day) Caffeine also binds to the neural receptors, which blocks the adenosine, which prolongs tiredness. Caffeine is a white odorless powder that is most commonly found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and pops. Caffeine can also be considered and ergogenic aid. Ergogenic aids are external influences that enhance/ improves ones strength, endurance, reaction time and speed of recovery. (Healthline) The three theories that make caffeine an ergogenic aid during exercise is the effect it has on the central nervous system, skeletal muscles, and metabolic changes. (Sheila G. Dean) Caffeine also has a positive effect on an individual’s health, some positive effects include: reduces risk of developing liver cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s. (Chawala) Caffeine has been proven to have positive effects on an athlete’s performance, and ones overall health.
The first theory that makes caffeine an ergogenic substance is the effect it has on the central nervous system is that it decreases the athlete’s perception of effort on muscle contraction. In other words, caffeine gives athletes the illusion that they have more energy. Adenosine is a central nervous system neuromodulator, meaning it transmits information to other neurons, modifying their activities. (McGill University) When adenosine binds to the receptors you begin to feel lethargic and ...

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...ease of calcium, and reduction of lactic acid is a result of glycogen sparing. In endurance exercise, caffeine allows athletes to exercise for a longer duration through glycogen- sparing, burning fats as fuel, increase calcium production, and increase in alertness and adrenaline. Caffeine is also proven to improve reaction time by the increase amount of adrenaline the caffeine provides. Caffeine also aids in post-work out pain an athlete may experience after a rigorous workout. Caffeine also has its health benefits. Caffeine reduces the risk of: liver cancer by improving enzyme activity, Alzheimer’s by blocking the progression of the disease as a result of the A2A antagonist, and Parkinson’s disease by protecting dopamine- producing cells. Ultimately, caffeine is shown to have a positive effect on an athlete’s performance, and also has positive health benefits.

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