Physiologic effects of caffeine on cross-country runners.

Abstract

This study determined the physiological effects of caffeine on cross-country runners during submaximal exercise. Ten college-age subjects (5 women; 5 men) volunteered to participate in this study. After completing a VO2max test, each subject completed 2 30-minute runs at 70% VO2max on the treadmill, 1 after ingesting caffeine and the other after ingesting a placebo. A caffeine dosage of 7 mg.kg(-1) of body weight was administered. The same dosage of vitamin C was used as a placebo. The order of treatments was randomly assigned, and the trials followed a double-blind format. The physiological data were analyzed using a repeated measures analysis of variance (SPSS). Tidal volume (TV), alveolar ventilation (VA), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were significantly different (p < 0.05) between treatment and control groups. The results suggest that the ingestion of caffeine at 7 mg.kg(-1) of body weight prior to submaximal running might provide a modest ergogenic effect via improved respiratory efficiency and a psychological lift.

• Authors: Larry J Birnbaum, Jacob D Herbst
• Journal: Journal of strength and conditioning research (J Strength Cond Res) Vol. 18 Issue 3 Pg. 463-5 (Aug 2004) ISSN: 1064-8011 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15320669 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Caffeine

Topics

• Adult
• Blood Pressure (drug effects)
• Caffeine (pharmacology)
• Double-Blind Method
• Exercise (physiology)
• Female
• Heart Rate (drug effects)
• Humans
• Male
• Oxygen Consumption (drug effects)
• Pulmonary Ventilation (drug effects)
• Running (physiology)
• Tidal Volume (drug effects)