The effects of caffeine intake varies between individuals, and this variation has been attributed to factors such as age, gender and more recently, genetics. Now, a Massey University study is looking for athletic men to help researchers find out more about the effect of caffeine on sporting performance.
It's well known that Kiwis have a love affair with caffeine - but how many of us know about the potential hidden harm it could be causing us? Scientists at Massey University and University of Auckland are leading a large-scale research programme aiming to build a detailed picture of the amount of caffeine we're consuming, and how our varying rates of metabolism or genetic traits could be causing unseen problems.
The positive effects of caffeine get plenty of play –combating fatigue and increasing alertness – but what are the downsides? A recent discovery reveals your risk of suffering from negative effects of caffeine is largely based on your genetics.
While more than 70 per cent of New Zealanders consume caffeine regularly, most don’t understand the effect it can have on their sporting performance, sleep, mood and cognitive functions.
The Sports Science team's study is designed to examine the effect of moderate caffeine ingestion on a player's physiological and skilled performance. In order to quantify the specific effects of caffeine on performance, Dr Foskett's colleague, Dr Ajmol Ali, has developed a validated soccer skills test for players which the pair will use to measure the effects of caffeine during a simulated game.