Caffeine improves endurance in 75-yr-old citizens: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study

Abstract

Norager, C. B., M. B. Jensen, M. R. Madsen, and S. Laurberg. Caffeine improves endurance in 75-yr-old citizens: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. J Appl Physiol 99: 2302-2306, 2005. First published August 4, 2005 doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00309.2005.-This study investigated the effect of caffeine on physical performance in healthy citizens aged Ն70 yr. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study was conducted in 15 men and 15 women recruited by their general practitioner. Participants abstained from caffeine for 48 h and were randomized to receive one capsule of placebo and then caffeine (6 mg/kg) or caffeine and then placebo with 1 wk in between. One hour after intervention, we measured reaction and movement times, postural stability, walking speed, cycling at 65% of expected maximal heart rate, perceived effort during cycling, maximal isometric arm flexion strength, and endurance. Analysis was by intention to treat, and P Ͻ 0.05 was regarded as significant. Caffeine increased cycling endurance by 25% [95% confidence interval (CI): 13-38; P ϭ 0.0001] and isometric arm flexion endurance by 54% (95% CI: 29 -83; P ϭ 0.0001). Caffeine also reduced the rating of perceived exertion after 5 min of cycling by 11% (95% CI: 5-17; P ϭ 0.002) and postural stability with eyes open by 25% (95% CI: 2-53; P ϭ 0.03). Caffeine ingestion did not affect muscle strength, walking speed, reaction, and movement times. At the end of the study, 46% of participants correctly identified when they received caffeine and placebo. Caffeine increased exercise endurance in healthy citizens aged Ն70 yr, but the participants' reasons for stopping the test may have varied between subjects, as the cycling test was done at ϳ55% of maximal oxygen consumption. Further studies are required to investigate whether caffeine can be utilized to improve the physical performance of elderly citizens. fatigue; perceived exertion; postural stability; elderly CAFFEINE INGESTION INCREASES the endurance of young people exercising at 60 -85% of their maximal oxygen uptake (12,13,38). It also seems to improve endurance as measured by repeated submaximal isometric contraction (34) and decreases the rate of perceived exertion during exercise (6, 9, 37). Typically, doses of ϳ6 mg/kg caffeine (equivalent to 4 cups of coffee) were used in these studies.With a growing number of elderly with a physically active lifestyle and many elderly participating in rehabilitation programs, the endurance-enhancing effect of caffeine is of increasing interest in this age group. However, the enduranceenhancing effect of caffeine found in young subjects has not previously been examined in the elderly.The aim of this study was to investigate whether 6 mg/kg caffeine improves physical performance and reduces the perceived effort during work in healthy citizens aged Ն70 yr. The main hypothesis was that caffeine would improve cycling endurance at 65% of expected maximal heart rate, and the secondary hypothesis was that caffeine would improv...

The effect of caffeine ingestion on functional performance in older adults

“…The current results also agree with the prior research with younger adults (2) showing enhanced aerobic endurance following caffeine ingestion and research with older adults that has reported improvements in endurance performance as a result of caffeine ingestion (15,16). However, the bolus of caffeine used in both these prior studies (15,16) was double (6 mg*kg -1 body mass) than that used in the present study.…”

“…Likewise, Momsen et al (16) demonstrated that 6mg*kg -1 of caffeine significantly increased maximal walking distance (20%) and maximal isometric knee extension strength (9.8%) in 68 year old patients with moderate intermittent claudication. In agreement with the work of Norager et al (15), endurance was also significantly improved (21.4%), however there was no effect of caffeine supplementation on reaction time and cognition. A later study by Jensen et al (17) adds further ambiguity after reporting that a 6mg*kg -1 caffeine supplement did not significantly improve maximal arm flexion strength and isometric submaximal endurance in subjects aged over 70.…”

“…However, the bolus of caffeine used in both these prior studies (15,16) was double (6 mg*kg -1 body mass) than that used in the present study. This is an important point as the caffeine bolus used in the present study is more comparable to the volume of caffeine typically seen in brewed coffee which contains approximately 260mg caffeine per 12oz (37).…”

“…Norager et al (15) reported significant increases in cycling endurance (25%) and arm flexion endurance (54%), coupled with a reduction in rating of perceived exertion (RPE) in men and women aged over 70, following 6mg*kg -1 caffeine consumption. Likewise, Momsen et al (16) demonstrated that 6mg*kg -1 of caffeine significantly increased maximal walking distance (20%) and maximal isometric knee extension strength (9.8%) in 68 year old patients with moderate intermittent claudication.…”

Does Caffeine Added to Carbohydrate Provide Additional Ergogenic Benefit for Endurance?

“…Thirty-three peer-reviewed research articles met the inclusion criteria (Alves et al, 1995;Bell, Jacobs, & Zamecnik, 1998;Berglund & Hemmingsson, 1982;Bridge & Jones, 2006;Butts & Crowell, 1985;Cadarette, Levine, Berube, Posner, & Evans, 1983;Cha et al, 2001;Cohen et al, 1996;Collomp et al, 2002;Conway, Orr, & Stannard, 2003;Costill et al, 1978;Denadai & Denadai, 1998;French et al, 1991;Fulco et al, 1994;Graham, Hibbert, & Sathasivam, 1998;Graham & Spriet, 1991;Greer, Hudson, Ross, & Graham, 2001;Ivy et al, 1979;Jenkins, Trilk, Singhal, O'Conner, & Cureton, 2008;Lindinger, Graham, & Spriet, 1993;MacIntosh & Wright, 1995;McLellan, Bell, & Kamimori, 2004;McNaughton et al, 2008;Norager, Jensen, Madsen, & Laurberg, 2005;Pasman et al, 1995;Powers, Byrd, Tulley, & Callendar, 1983;Sasaki et al, 1987;Slivka et al, 2008;Spriet et al, 1992;Trice & Haymes, 1995;Van Soeren & Graham, 1998; Table 3). Three research articles Berglund & Hemmingsson, 1982;Butts & Crowell, 1985) reported Note.…”