ES-01 Effects of Caffeine on Gender, Age, and Exercise
Abstract
This study tested the overall effects of caffeine on gender, age, and exercise. Caffeine is marketed to make users more alert and focused. With an explosion of caffeine products on the market, interest in caffeine has grown, and it is currently one of the most widely used substances with benefits for performance enhancement across a variety of exercises. Because it stimulates the central nervous system, caffeine can increase irritability and anxiety and cause other health ailments, while simultaneously increasing alertness and attention. Additionally, caffeine use may affect a person’s capacity to get a good night’s sleep and to fall asleep.
In this study, 12 participants (6 males and 6 females) were selected from the 17-25, 26-39, and 40 and older age cohorts. For the 4-week study, all maintained their regular exercises, diet, and sleep quality. Participants reported their weekly caffeine intake and any changes in energy, motivation, performance, sleep, and overall health.
Participants in the 17-25 age cohort reported more energy and motivation with some caffeine consumption 3 or more times per week, while those in the 26-39 age cohort also reporting feelings of dehydration and disrupted sleep with more frequent caffeine consumption. Male and female participants in the 40 and older age cohort reported the same but experienced additional health ailments including nausea, increased heart rate, nervousness, and headaches; females in this cohort additionally reported increased irritability. Both males and females in all three age cohorts reported beneficial effects of caffeine including increased stamina while exercising.
Our findings show that both age and gender can influence how caffeine affects the body. Further, while caffeine was shown to enhance exercise performance in participants, adverse effects of caffeine outweighed any potential benefits.
ES-01 Effects of Caffeine on Gender, Age, and Exercise
This study tested the overall effects of caffeine on gender, age, and exercise. Caffeine is marketed to make users more alert and focused. With an explosion of caffeine products on the market, interest in caffeine has grown, and it is currently one of the most widely used substances with benefits for performance enhancement across a variety of exercises. Because it stimulates the central nervous system, caffeine can increase irritability and anxiety and cause other health ailments, while simultaneously increasing alertness and attention. Additionally, caffeine use may affect a person’s capacity to get a good night’s sleep and to fall asleep.
In this study, 12 participants (6 males and 6 females) were selected from the 17-25, 26-39, and 40 and older age cohorts. For the 4-week study, all maintained their regular exercises, diet, and sleep quality. Participants reported their weekly caffeine intake and any changes in energy, motivation, performance, sleep, and overall health.
Participants in the 17-25 age cohort reported more energy and motivation with some caffeine consumption 3 or more times per week, while those in the 26-39 age cohort also reporting feelings of dehydration and disrupted sleep with more frequent caffeine consumption. Male and female participants in the 40 and older age cohort reported the same but experienced additional health ailments including nausea, increased heart rate, nervousness, and headaches; females in this cohort additionally reported increased irritability. Both males and females in all three age cohorts reported beneficial effects of caffeine including increased stamina while exercising.
Our findings show that both age and gender can influence how caffeine affects the body. Further, while caffeine was shown to enhance exercise performance in participants, adverse effects of caffeine outweighed any potential benefits.