Caffeine and Athletic Performance

How does caffeine affect athletic performance?

Many people like caffeine because it makes them feel more alert, gives them more energy, improves their mood, and makes them more productive. Athletes often use caffeine to help them perform better, both in routine workouts and in competition.

Like other drugs, caffeine can provide some benefits, but too much can lead to problems. The effect of caffeine on athletic performance has been studied since the 1800s. Caffeine has been proven in studies to:

• increase concentration
• increase tolerance to pain
• increase endurance
• improve coordination and speed

The increases in performance can be found even when taking in moderate doses of 3 to 5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. The effect is dose related: the higher the dose the larger the effect.

Caffeine binds to receptors in the brain, heart, skeletal muscle, and fat cells. It works mainly by stimulating your central nervous system. It increases heart rate, decreases feelings of pain and fatigue, and increases the burning of fat.

What are the side effects of athletes taking caffeine?

Side effects are dose related - the higher the dose the more side effects.

Side effects from caffeine include:

• nausea
• muscle tremors
• headaches
• irregular heart rhythms (cardiac arrhythmias)

One common myth is that caffeine can cause an athlete to produce more urine and lose more water. Studies have shown caffeine does not have much of an effect on fluid status or electrolyte balances.

Is there a limit on how much caffeine I can have?

The current list of drugs banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) contains more than 40 different stimulants. Caffeine used to be on this list, but it was taken off of the list in January 2005.

What are common sources of caffeine?

The table below lists items that contain caffeine.

Product            Amount of Caffeine per Dose

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1 cup of coffee          100 milligrams (mg)



1 Coke or Diet Coke       45.6 mg



1 NO DOZ                 100 mg



1 Anacin                  32 mg



1 Excedrin                65 mg

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What should I keep in mind?

1. Be aware of the caffeine in your food, drinks, and medicine, including nonprescription drugs.
2. Know how much caffeine you consume during the course of a day.
3. Listen to your body. Know how caffeine affects you. If you have ill effects from caffeine, cut back.
4. Don't try using caffeine to give you a boost during competition if you haven't used caffeine before.
5. If you feel like coffee improves your performance, be sure you don't consume so much that you have unwanted side effects.
6. Be careful when you use caffeine. It is easy to build tolerance.
7. Caffeine withdrawal can cause mood shifts, headaches, nausea, tremors, and fatigue.

Use caffeine carefully. Too much caffeine may be bad for you.

Written by Jackie Berning, PhD, RD, for RelayHealth.
Published by RelayHealth.
© 2009 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.