Can coffee boost running performance?

Researchers at the University of Georgia, in a recent study exploring why muscles hurt during exercise, found that caffeine reduces muscle pain. However, the same research group previously learned that aspirin, while commonly used to treat muscle pain, did not reduce pain produced by vigorous exercise.

"Muscle contractions produce a host of biochemical's that can stimulate pain. Aspirin blocks only one of those chemicals," Patrick O'Connor, professor of exercise science at UGA's College of Education, said. "Apparently the biochemical blocked by aspirin has little role in exercise-induced muscle pain."

But the researcher's newest study, published in the latest issue of the Journal of Pain, found that caffeine reduced thigh-muscle pain during cycling exercise. Participants in the study cycled for 30 minutes on two separate days. The exercise intensity was the same on both days and set to make the riders' thigh muscles hurt. Participants took either a caffeine pill or a placebo one hour before the exercise. The riders reported feeling substantially less pain in their thigh muscles after taking caffeine compared to after taking the placebo.

A coffee could help you run faster and burn more fat during your workout, said researchers recently. Researchers in Australia have found that even a small quantity of caffeine allowed you to exercise almost a third longer. A cup of coffee may be enough to help you perform better in your running. But it may also inhibit you by causing dehydration so keep things in moderation.

The Australian Institute of Sport
The Australian Institute of Sport team found that caffeine triggers the muscles to start using fat as an energy source rather than carbohydrate sugars. Caffeine has been secretly used by many endurance athletes over the years as a way of getting extra energy out of their body's reserves during a running event. This research now confirms what elite athletes and runners have known for years.

The researchers tested its effects on cyclists, who were allowed to drink flat cola or coffee as they pedalled. Those who did were able to keep going longer than those who stuck to water. Taking caffeine prior to exercise might help amateur runners as well as elite athletes. Some studies have found that using caffeine when exercising can result in delayed fatigue by up to 60%. So dig out your coffee percolators and blend up a Latté before your next long run – but remember, coffee also acts as a diuretic so keep hydrated!