Caffeine Supplementation

Caffeine is one of the most consumed psychoactive substances worldwide. Antagonism of adenosine receptors are the leading hypothesis to explain the ergogenic effects of caffeine on exercise performance. Caffeine ingestion can be ergogenic for endurance and short duration cycling performance, with the beneficial effect generally independent of training status, habitual caffeine intake, and sex. However, caffeine ingestion is associated with some side-effects including increased heart rate, anxiety, headaches, hindered sleep quality, and gastrointestinal distress. Therefore, the objectives of this chapter are to outline the mechanisms underpinning these effects, summarise the current evidence concerning the effect of caffeine on cycling performance, identify moderators that hold the potential to influence the ergogenic properties of caffeine, and finally, provide practical recommendations for athletes.