Does caffeine affect athletic performance?

Caffeine has been considered an ergogenic aid ? a drug that increases performance as a result of the physiological effects it has on the body. While the exact mechanism isn't known for sure, some researchers believe that caffeine stimulates earlier and greater fat burning during exercise. This would help preserve the body's store of glycogen (the fuel muscles use) so that a person could exercise longer before feeling exhausted. This theory supports findings that caffeine improves performance in endurance events, such as long distance running and/or cycling. A review of literature on the effects of caffeine in short-term and high-intensity exercise concludes that the substance may also aid athletes? performance in team sport activities that requires repetitive sprinting (like soccer) if ingested before the activity. Others believe that the stimulant effect of caffeine may help with alertness, mental clarity, and overall mood, all of which could help during a workout. For more information, check out Energy drinks and weight loss [2] from the Go Ask Alice! archives.