Habitual vs. Supplemental Caffeine with Dr Bryan Saunders - Science of Getting Faster Podcast Ep 6

Caffeine’s performance-enhancing effects are well-documented. Most studies show measurable improvements in performance following a small dose, and as a result, caffeine is commonly found in gels, drink mixes, and other athletic supplements.

But most adults already consume caffeine each day. Habitual consumption causes tolerance, which is said to weaken caffeine’s ergogenic effect. As a result some athletes even reduce their coffee consumption around key events, in hopes of increasing the performance-enhancing ability of supplemental caffeine.

But does the science back this up? A systematic review and meta-analysis by Dr. Bryan Saunders and colleagues examine the evidence to find out. Dr Saunders joins our host Sarah Laverty on this episode of the Science of Getting Faster Podcast to discuss the review, its findings, and what it means for caffeine’s role in making you faster.

Join us today at 8 AM PST!

Topics Covered in This Episode

0:00 Intro: Does habitual caffeine consumption impact its ergogenic effects?
2:45 How has caffeine been used as a performance-enhancing agent?
6:40 How does caffeine improve performance?
11:20 Does caffeine improve mood?
16:19 Study hypothesis
20:06 What is the process for finding the relevant studies?
21:52 How does Dr. Saunders extract the data?
23:27 How did Dr. Saunders assess the quality of his studies?
29:29 After the study, what did Dr. Saunders find?
46:59 Dr. Saunders recommendations for those who might be negatively impacted by caffeine
50:58 What did Dr. Saunder’s study tell us and what did it not?

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Can I Have My Coffee and Drink It? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis to Determine Whether Habitual Caffeine Consumption Affects the Ergogenic Effect of Caffeine

TrainerRoad Podcast Network

Submit your Question to the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast 2

Subscribe to the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast 2

Subscribe to the Successful Athletes Podcast

Submit your story to the Successful Athletes Podcast

Subscribe to the Science of Getting Faster Podcast

Submit a topic to the Science of Getting Faster Podcast

5 Likes