Boost your workout with caffeine

Paul Smithson

16/12/2011 14:32:17

People may be able to improve their workout with the aid of caffeine, according to a new study.

Writing for the The New York Times’ ‘Well’ blog, Gretchen Reynolds cited research carried out in England that tested how well a group of fit young men to carry out several sessions with and without the aid of caffeine.

She pointed out that the substance is already the most-used, legal performance-enhancer in sport and this latest study could inspire more people to consider a cup of espresso coffee before heading to the gym.

Michael Duncan, a senior lecturer in sports science at the University of Exeter and lead author, said: “Essentially, we found that with the caffeinated drink, the person felt more able to invest the effort. They would put more work into the training session, and when the session was finished, in the presence of the caffeinated drink, they were more psychologically ready to go again.”

Lifehacker suggested that it may be a good idea to have a cup of coffee before hitting the treadmill in the morning, as they may find they stay on the exercise machine for longer.

The website pointed out that everyone is aware of coffee’s ability to make people feel more alert, but this latest study provides scientific backing to its impact on exercise.