Improvement of aerobic exercise after acute caffeine consumption
Introduction
Caffeine as a member of the methylxanthine class, is a central nervous system stimulant which can suppress the effect of adenosine on adenosine receptors in nerve tissues and consequently reduces the drowsiness induced by adenosine. (Nehlig et al., 1992) Caffeine is the most commonly used psychoactive substance as unlike most methylxanthines, not only can it be legally obtained, it also remains unregulated. Current studies have shown that low-to-moderate dosages of caffeine can improve both cognitive performance and physical performance. At low dosage, it can effectively stimulate higher attention and by reducing anxiety and fatigue, caffeine can facilitate on short-term
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memory and learning through its indirect improvement in mood and concentration.
(Nehlig, 2010) It is also found that moderate dosages of caffeine can enhance trained athletes’ sport performance by improving vigilance and benefits high-intensity exercise. (Goldstein et al., 2010) These notable effects make beverages containing caffeine including coffee, tea and energy drink popular and lead to the rapid growth in caffeine market targeting particularly to youth. However, the high accessibility also leads to the problem of overconsumption of caffeine and increasing reports of caffeine toxicity from energy drinks particularly among adolescents. (Gunja and Brown, 2011). Researches also showed that caffeine abuse causes insomnia and large doses of caffeine will show reverse symptoms as consumption of low dosages including agitation and recurrent headache and gastrointestinal disturbance. (Bolton, 1981) Therefore, more researches are required to study the functioning of caffeine in human bodies to …show more content…
regulate usage of caffeine and educate public to consume caffeine responsibly. Aerobic capacity is the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) during incremental exercises. It describes the ability of cardiorespiratory system in distributing oxygen to muscles and indicates the rate of energy (ATP) production during exercise. As the demand for energy increases during exercise, the increasing demand of oxygen demand results in the increase in heart rate. (Duncker, 2008 #203) Current researches have shown that acute caffeine consumption can increase both resting systolic blood pressure and resting mean arterial pressure. However, no finding has yet shown increases in aerobic capacity in exercise after acute consumption of caffeine although caffeine commonly plays the role as an ergogenic aid. (Daniels, 1998 #204) Therefore, this research aims to investigate the effect of acute consumption of caffeine on aerobic activity during exercise. In this experiment, aerobic capacity was estimated by comparison of resting pulse rate and pulse rate after step test as the direct measurement of VO2 could be dangerous for individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular problems and induced high-cost whereas step test required minimal equipment and could be easily conducted. Subjects were divided into two groups with one group consuming caffeinated coffee and the other group consuming decaffeinated coffee. Conducted as a double-blind research, each sample had their pre-treatment, post-treatment and post-exercise pulse rates measured. It was hypothesized that the consumption of caffeine immediately before aerobic exercise should increase pulse rate. Methods Refer to the School of Life and Environmental Science (Bolton) Results The sample sizes for caffeinated coffee and decaffeinated coffee were 57 and 49 respectively. The difference in the two sample sizes was 8. Caffeinated coffee group had a mean pre-treatment resting pulse rate of 76.1 beats per minute. In comparison, decaffeinated coffee group had a mean pre-treatment resting pulse rate of 79.0, thus there was no significant difference between the two group’s pulse rate before coffee consumption. The mean of post-treatment resting pulse rates for caffeinated coffee group and decaffeinated coffee group were 78.4 and 79.3 respectively shown no significant difference. The mean post-exercise pulse rates for caffeinated coffee group and decaffeinated coffee group were 124.8 and 127.7 respectively and again shown no significant difference.(figure 1) Figure 1 In the caffeinated coffee group, the mean post-treatment resting pulse rate increased by 2.3 from the mean pre-treatment resting pulse while in the decaffeinated coffee group, the mean resting pulse for pre-treatment and pot-treatment remained the almost the same. In both group, the mean post-exercise pulse rate had a significate increase from the mean post-treatment resting pulse rate. There was no significant difference in the mean pulse rate between subjects who consumed caffeinated coffee and those who consumed decaffeinated coffee (ANOVA: F(1, 312) = 0.09, p > 0.05). Across all coffee treatment groups, the mean pulse rate at pre-treatment was significantly different to that at post-exercise (ANOVA: F(2, 312) = 211.50, p < 0.0001; Tukey's multiple comparisons: p < 0.0001) and the mean pulse rate at post-treatment was significantly different to that at post-exercise (ANOVA: F(2, 312) = 211.50, p < 0.0001; Tukey's multiple comparisons: p < 0.0001). Refer to table in appendix. Discussion In this experiment, the results showed no significant differences in pulse rates between the caffeinated treatment group and the decaffeinated treatment group.
The pre-treatment resting pulse rate was expected to be same as healthy people who were not trained athletes should have similar pulse rate ranging from 60 beats per minute to 100 beats per minute. In the caffeinated treatment group, the resting pulse rate increases after acute consumption of caffeine which corresponded with the prediction of caffeine’s effect in increasing heart rate, but the increase is not substantial, thus it may be due to errors. However, no significance in difference in post-treatment resting pulse rate and post-exercise pulse rate indicated that caffeine did not contribute to the increase in pulse rate during exercise. Thus, the result rejected the hypothesis of caffeine’s effect of increasing pulse rate/aerobic capacity during
exercise. This result corresponds with the previous researches in this area where no significant increase in heart rate in exercise due to caffeine consumption can be found. (Duncker, 2008 #203) This meant that the caffeine’s effect of improvement in physical performance was not due to the direct increase in oxygen uptake and more efficient energy production in muscles but rather due to indirect factors such as concentration. The pulse rates in this experiment were measured manually by checking the pulse at subject’s wrist. This method was not accurate as large human errors could be induced in this measurement of counting pulse. To improve the accuracy and precision of this experiment, a pulse oximeter should be used. Caffeine’s effect depended on individual’s caffeine tolerance as well. Therefore, the experiment would be more accurate if each subject was given decaffeinated and caffeinated coffee randomly each day for 30 days (exactly 15 days with decaffeinated coffee and 15 days caffeinated coffee) and the above test was conducted each day. By comparing the pulse rate after consumption of decaffeinated and caffeinated coffee during exercise for the same subject would rule out the variation in individuals’ differences in caffeine tolerance. In conclusion, this research did not provide evidence in caffeine’s ability in increasing aerobic capacity. More researches on caffeine’s interaction with cardiovascular system should be conducted to show the effect of caffeine in aerobic activity.
Caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant, is the main psychoactive ingredient in energy drinks, which enhances alertness and mood, and counteracts symptoms of sleep. There is no doubt ...
Caffeine is a mild stimulant that occurs naturally in at least 63 plant species. Caffeine can be found in the leaves, stems, seeds, and roots of these various plants. Caffeine is part of the methylxanthine family. It consists of a xanthine molecule with three methyl groups attached to it. 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’s widespread use and popularity have caused many people to view the substance as an addictive drug. Thus making caffeine the most inexpensive and readily available drug known to man. Then on the other hand there are people who view caffeine as a helpful stimulant that increases the individual’s concentration and awareness as well as many other physical traits. The important thing to remember is that caffeine’s affects vary based on the person, the amount ingested, the frequency of consumption, and individual metabolism. (http://www.pp.okstate.edu/ehs/kopykit/caffeine.html)
Caffeinate drinks and energy drinks are very common on amongst adolescents, and the consumption of alcohol is also a regular occurrence among adolescents (Rohsenow et. Al, 2014). At that age, they may consume caffeine or energy drinks to wake themselves up or stay up late when working on homework assignments. Which at times can be helpful when working on multiple assignments. When a person consumes a certain amount of alcohol, he or she begins to feel drowsy/tired. There is nothing wrong with having a drink on occasions, especially if you drink responsibly. Recently people have begun to mix caffeine with alcohol, resulting in Alcoholic Energy Drinks. People buy and consume these drinks to combat the drowsiness that comes with drinking, so if he or she is out partying, it won’t interrupt his or her drinking and the can consume more alcohol because they will not feel as tired as quickly as the normally would. Alcoholic Energy Drinks have been a trend in recent years, and this is especially true among college and high school students (Kponee, Siegel, & Jernigan, 2014). Do Alcoholic Energy Drinks represent responsible drinking? Should companies mix caffeine and alcohol and sell it in stores? To go even further, should the drinks be legal in the United States? Alcoholic Energy Drinks are harmful because they affect the person’s ability to judge his or her level of intoxication, it also influences people to drink more than he or she should because he or she feels less intoxicated, and because of those reasons, people who consume Alcoholic Energy Drinks are more likely to drive while intoxicated, among other dangerous risk-taking behaviors (Kponee, Siegel, & Jernigan, 2014). Because of the adverse effects, Alcoholic Energy Drinks should...
Caffeine and coffee are a daily part of life for most people in modern society. The discovery of the coffee bean is said to have been in Ethiopia, when a sleepy eyed goat herder noticed his goats eating red berries, he then noticed the effect it had on them as they jumped and danced around him. He then tasted the berries and his eyes opened wide, he took them to the local village who also liked it and in particular the monks who used the berries to keep them awake during meditation.
Does one drink caffeine? Caffeine is everywhere, it's in everything, it's apart of our daily lives. That’s what people doesn’t realizes; every soda drink, every cup of coffee, and every energy drink he or she gulps down before a thrilling game, all of that is caffeine. Caffeine is only completed when he or she get addicted. Caffeine can be an exceptional threat to the human body; energy drinks for example, it has enough caffeine to kill someone if he or she drinks enough. Energy drinks has been the number one drink high school students drink to stay awake in school; they even bring the drink in classrooms, and more than one energy drink. Soda has enough caffeine to destroy ones inner body. Soda is a everyday drink for some individuals, they
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.
Many of you might be thinking to yourselves “I must be a drug addict if caffeine is a performance-enhancing drug.”. Caffeine can make you more alert and less tired. This is why many people with wake up in the morning and drink a cup of coffee. Stimulants like caffeine have been used since the times of the Roman gladiators.
Scrutiny of caffeine and its effects has increased dramatically in the last 20 years, due in part to an increase in consumption of caffeine. In fact, coffee consumption among young adults rose to 3.2 cups per day in 2008 from 2.4 cups per day in 2005 (Rokerya 1). For instance, in a one hour period, on Richland College’s on-campus Starbucks, the author took note of how many customers arrived and purchased a cup of coffee. Between 8:00 and 9:00 AM, there were 51 customers, implying that – especially at college - many people are dependent on coffee in the mornings. However, the results from these studies are inconclusive and often somewhat contradictory – many studies (such as that by Tetsuya Ohara et al.) show that caffeine is a great boon to
By this definition, and after knowing the effects of caffeine upon the human body, I have come to the conclusion that drinking caffeine is a sign of a lack of respect for oneself, and of an unappreciative attitude toward the life that each of us has been blessed with. Furthermore, it shows of either our inability, or unwillingness to learn to think clearly.
Two similar, but separate studies were conducted. The first study (A) used 12 highly trained athletes, either triathletes or cyclists. The second study (B) used a smaller sample of 8 athletes with similar backgrounds. While training histories were similar, caffeine intake histories varied from occasional to regular intake of up to ~150 mg/day (2mg/Kg). Subjects first performed a maximal incremental power test to determine their VO2 peak, a measurement of the body's ability to taken in O2 and turn it into work. A work rate of ...
Scientists Ricardo Mora-Rodriguez and Jesus G Pallares executed a study observing the performance outcomes and side effects of energy drinks. They confirmed that due to their high carbohydrate concentration and lack of salts, energy drinks are not a good beverage choice when prolonged exercise in a warm environment is likely to require rehydration. They also found that ingestion of high doses of caffeine, although ergogenic, could result in negative side effects that could counteract the caffeine’s ergogenic effect. Even though energy drinks have the ability to increase a certain amount of energy, the energy would be short lived, due to lack of hydration. A similar study was performed by a team of scientists in Nepal. They tested on medical students at a Nepalese medical school. After the experiment, they concluded that energy drinks give energy and increase the stamina but they produce neurologic, psychiatric, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal complications on health. Certain students that participated in the study started to experience palpitation (increased or irregular heartbeat), nausea, constipation, and abdominal pain. These symptoms are just a few of the health risks that regularly consuming energy drinks can
As the vast majority of Americans are addicted to caffeine, studies show that the effects during post-consumption, can be positive or negative depending on the amount and frequency of caffeine intake. As the demand for caffeine has increased, the caffeine industry has increased its amount of marketing and establishments to help aid this demand. Caffeine addiction can lead to serious health and physiological detriments. It is evident that the primary reason for consumption of caffeinated beverages is due to positive effects, such as alertness. The media has an abundance of marketing to continue to illustrate this main effect.
The following study will examine and provide research methods, results and conclusions about college students who consume caffeine, energy drinks, alcohol or both to get an energy boost for one reason or another. Coffee, which used to be the highlight of boosting energy and staying up late nights to complete homework assignments or study, has taken a fall in the 20th century. The study will also point out the effects of the energy drinks and alcohol and the harm and health concerns that contribute to the students behaviors when consumed. The first study examines energy drinks and alcohol among college students and the fact that more students are consuming the product. The study is a web-based questionnaire.
Millions of Americans begin each day by consuming the most widely used drug in the United States: Caffeine. Over 90% of United States adults consume caffeinated food or beverages on a daily basis and over 50% take more than the recommended amount. Our innocent daily ritual can turn into an addiction for some because many do not realize that caffeine is even a drug let alone the effects it can have on their bodies. Its use it becoming more and more prominent in our society. It’s not uncommon to walk outside and see a Starbucks or coffee shop on each corner. Innovative foods are coming out infused with coffee, and energy drinks are being pushed at every angle. Caffeine to many is a necessity to wake up in the morning and for others to stay up all night. This is dangerous because people are not only becoming more and more dependent on coffee drinks and energy drinks but they are beginning to ingest more of it each day and are now mixing it with other drugs that can be life threatening. Proper knowledge is important when taking any drug including one that the FDA considers to be a safe multi-purpose food substance and education is the key.
When a person drinks coffee, the caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream and then travels to the brain where it blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter called Adenosine. When this happens, the amount of other neurotransmitters actually increases.