Ever wonder why that group ride starts and ends at the local coffee shop?
It may not be just to prevent potential caffeine withdrawal in one of the java-junkies on the ride.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have published a study in this month’s issue of the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism looking at the effect of caffeine on muscle pain and soreness after exercise.
The researchers studied 25 healthy college students and measured the amount of quadriceps (thigh) muscle soreness after a 30 minute high intensity cycling session. The cyclists were given either no caffeine or a caffeine tablet equivalent to about 2-3 cups of coffee (5 mg caffeine/kg) 60 minutes before the exercise session.
The interesting finding was that both students that never drank caffeine on a regular basis and those that were routine caffeine drinkers both noted a decrease in muscle soreness compared to when performing the cycling test without caffeine. This finding suggests that there may not be much habituation to chronic caffeine use.
How much of a reduction in pain was noted?
A previous 2006 study in the journal of Pain looking at caffeine and its effects on muscle soreness after eccentric (muscle lengthening) exercises reported a 48% decrease in the level of pain reported on a 0 to 100 point scale when compared to a placebo. How does that stack up to the typical pain medicines like naproxen (Aleve), aspirin and ibuprofen?
Use of naproxen resulted in a 30 per cent decrease in soreness, aspirin use reduced in a 25 per cent decrease and ibuprofen produced inconsistent results.
Written while sitting in a coffee shop…
-Doc John
PS – My favorite coffee shop in San Diego? Zumbar Coffee and Tea in Sorrento Valley.
What’s your favorite coffee shop for the pre and post-ride caffeine consumption?
Let us know by posting a comment.
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