Science of Swimming Faster by Scott Riewald

Author:Scott Riewald [Scott Riewald, PhD, and Scott Rodeo, MD]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780736095716
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Published: 2015-04-01T16:00:00+00:00

Caffeine

Caffeine is a substance, not prohibited, that most adults consume daily. The widely available foods, drinks, and nonprescription medications that contain caffeine have increased the opportunities for athletes to consume caffeine as an ergogenic (performance-enhancing) aid. Table 15.1 shows the caffeine content of common foods, drinks, and nonprescription preparations (Burke 2008; caffeineinformer 2014).

The effects of caffeine in reducing fatigue and increasing wakefulness are well documented (Burke 2008). In healthy adults, moderate caffeine intake of up to 400 milligrams per day (6 mg per kg of body weight) is not associated with adverse effects (Burke 2008).

Caffeine was removed from the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) list of prohibited substances and methods in part because of its widespread, global presence in a variety of commonly consumed foodstuffs and beverages. Athletes are therefore able to consume caffeine either in their diets or for specific performance-enhancing purposes. Caffeine levels in the urine samples collected in the course of doping controls are monitored carefully by the WADA to detect patterns of misuse in sport. Caffeine is on the list of restricted substances (urine samples exceeding 15 micrograms per ml of caffeine) for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

The habitual social intake of caffeine and its specific use in relation to a training session may benefit elite swimming by prolonging an athlete’s capacity to undertake the physical and mental components of a workout (Burke 2008). Several researchers have examined the effect of caffeine on swimming (Burke 2008; MacIntosh and Wright 1995). Caffeine has been shown to enhance performance in sustained high-intensity swimming events lasting from 1 to 20 minutes (Burke 2008). In controlled research trials involving 1,500-meter freestyle swimming, caffeine ingestion (6 mg per kg of body weight) resulted in faster performance times (23-second improvement) in an event that is completed in less than 25 minutes (MacIntosh and Wright 1995). Further, caffeine ingestion (205 mg; 4 mg per kg of body weight) 60 minutes before 100-meter swim races leads to enhanced swim velocity (meters per second) in trained swimmers (Collomp et al. 1992). Caffeine appears to mediate improvements in performance through increased lipolysis (lipid breakdown) and fat oxidation, decreased muscle glycogen breakdown (Kovacs, Stegen, and Brouns 1998; Cole et al. 1996; Costill, Dalsky, and Fink 1978; Ivy et al. 1979), and lessening of the subjective perception of effort (Ivey et al. 1979). Not generally appreciated is that individual sensitivity to and metabolism of caffeine can vary widely. Beyond a certain intake, symptoms of caffeinism such as irritability, restlessness, and agitation may develop, possibly reducing performance capacity.

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