THE EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE ON MAXIMAL EXERCISE

Abstract

Caffeine is classified as an ergogenic and central nervous system stimulant. Research shows that there are benefits of consuming caffeine. These include increased mental alertness, decreased fatigue and increased delay to the onset of fatigue, decreased reaction time and increased use of muscle triglycerides. Research has also shown that ingesting caffeine prior to exercise significantly elevates plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFA) and glycerol. It is known that the accumulation of FFA reduces the rate of glycolysis via the inhibition of phosphofructokinase. Therefore, ingestion of caffeine is expected to alter carbohydrate metabolism and the rate of lactate production.