Caffeine and Athletes: Yeah or Nay?

In 1819, German poet and writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was writing less and devoting his older years to a new fascination, the emerging world of science, especially chemistry. Fascinated by the then-extravagant luxury of the "mocha bean," Von Goethe engaged 25-year-old chemist Friedlieb Runge to analyze his precious Arabica beans to determine what made them so stimulating to mind and body. The result was Runge's isolation and purification of a white crystalline substance now known as caffeine, a member of the xanthine family of stimulants that include mateine in yerba mate, theine in tea, and similar compounds in more than 60 other plants.

Ever since then, controversy has hovered over caffeine about its ergogenic (energy generating) results and its abilities to help caffeinated coffee drinkers to be more alert, have more endurance, and, perform faster, stronger, and better in every sporting event. Caffeinated beverages remain the most frequently consumed stimulant in the world with billions, in particular, consuming caffeinated coffee daily.

The conundrum is that no scientist or doctor has been able to discover why caffeine is not absorbed in the same way by everyone. In fact, it affects different people different ways. For the majority, it acts like a stimulant; for some it performs like a sedative, and for a minority, caffeine has no discernible affect at all.

For the man or woman who just wants to jog a little faster, hit the tennis ball a little more accurately, or throw the softball further, a cup or two of breakfast coffee may be just enough to help them beat out the competition. Here's how caffeine can help:

Caffeine can increase metabolism, stimulate the brain, and break down fat stores which enable muscles to use fat as a fuel when the natural glycogen, the principal fuel for muscles is exhausted. Having one or two cups of coffee before a long race may be helpful, however, many cups of coffee will hamper an athlete. It is equally important for all who exercise, pro and non-pro alike, to drink plenty of water, especially enhanced waters, to avoid the dehydration that comes from perspiration and may be a result of caffeine.

While caffeine can help some athletes in some activities, most sports medicine experts and doctors seem to agree that proper training is what helps prevent injuries and drinking enough fluids, especially water, prevents dehydration, nausea or cramping that that may occur from extreme exertion. Getting enough sleep, at least seven hours, is now perceived as more than critical to good reaction time, endurance, and mental alertness. The value of the proper diet fit for the sport can help every athlete from the petite gymnast or the muscle-bound discus thrower their best.