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Caffeine Experiment

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EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE ON AEROBIC CAPACITY

Introduction
Caffeine is one of the most consumed drugs in the world today, with Australians consuming an estimated 232mg per day on average (Heckman et al. 2010). It is found in many beverages, including coffee, tea, and many energy drinks. Studies suggest the drug increases wakefulness and apparent alertness due to the effects it has on one’s body - caffeine is absorbed within a period of 45 minutes after ingestion, and binds to adenosine receptors located in the central nervous system, blocking the neurotransmitter adenosine which causes neural activity - the rate of firing of central neurons - to slow. Since adenosine is unable to bind to the receptors, the neurotransmitter is unable to slow neural …show more content…
However, these results obtained can be attributed to the decreased concentration of caffeine which students consumed in our investigation versus the higher concentrations in studies finding effects of caffeine, opening up further questioning and investigations into the nature of caffeine in the body and the role which it’s concentration has on the blocking of adenosine receptors, and hence, neural activity. Since there is a gap in the understanding of concentration of caffeine in the body and aerobic capacity, future study may lead to supplements for athletes containing an optimal concentration of caffeine to supply beneficial improvements to athletic ability with minimal side …show more content…
A., Angius, L., Marcora, S. (2017) Effects of caffeine on neuromuscular fatigue and performance during high-intensity cycling exercise in moderate hypoxia. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 117: 27-38.

Grgic, J., Trexler, E., Lazincia, B., Pedisic, Z. (2018) Effects of caffeine intake on muscle strength and power: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 15: 11.

Duncker, D. J., Bache, R. J. (2008) Regulation of Coronary Blood Flow During Exercise. Physiological Reviews, 88: 1009-1086.

Fredholm, B., Bättig, K., Holmén, J., Nehlig, A., Zvartau, E. (1999) Actions of Caffeine in the Brain with Special Reference to Factors That Contribute to Its Widespread Use. Pharmacological Reviews, 51: 83-133.

Heckman, M., Weil, J., De Mejia, E. G. (2010) Caffeine (1, 3, 7‐trimethylxanthine) in Foods: A Comprehensive Review on Consumption, Functionality, Safety, and Regulatory Matters. Journal of Food Science, 75: R77-R87.

Acker-Hewitt, T., Shafer, B., Saunders, M., Goh, Q., Luden, N. (2012) Independent and combined effects of carbohydrate and caffeine ingestion on aerobic cycling performance in the fed state. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 37:

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