Coffee And Exercise-Some Thoughts From Australian Elite Athlete Study

A small study of seven elite cyclists in Austraila is making news.  Seems athletes who added caffeine to their high carbohydrate post exercise meal were able to perform better the next day. The addition of caffeine increased the energy stored in their muscles. In the study the researchers found the energy stored (glycogen) was 66% more with the added caffeine.

And the amount of caffeine they had was the equivalent of 5-6 cups of coffee. Some of us on 5-6 cups of coffee would be raving maniacs or worse. (I just remember an old boss of mine, scary thought eh?)

Dr. Hawley mentioned some of the athletes had problems sleeping while others fell asleep without any problem. So elite athletes are no different in that respect.

According to Dr. Hawley one of the researchers in the study, " If you have 66% more fuel for the next day's training or competition, there's no question you'll be able to go further and faster."

The saying from Superman comes to mind, "able to leap tall buildings with a single bound." Can you imagine the possibilities for athletic world records with 66% more energy?

Now this study is very small-only 7 cyclists. The results are just question marks designed for future research.

But the possibilities are intriguing. Are the results the same for ordinary people? I for one would never qualify as an elite cyclist or elite athlete.

Would you prepare for potentially strenuous negotiating sessions like these elite cyclists?  

What would you do with 66% more energy? Let me know by sharing your thoughts below.

Not the usual grind,

A tip of the mug to News.com.au for the heads up on the research study and for the photo to Piotr Lewandowski