In nearly every gym it seems there are people who are fatigued, exasperated, and exhausted. But they may be overlooking an everyday food item that could help them pursue their fitness goals, not to mention enjoy the process: caffeine.

Beyond The Morning Boost – Analysis

Could caffeine have benefits above and beyond overcoming Mr. or Ms. Shut-Eye? Studies show that a moderate dose of caffeine about one hour prior to exercising decreases the perceived exertion that endurance athletes experience while exercisingEffect of coffee ingestion on physiological responses and ratings of perceived exertion during submaximal endurance exercise. Demura, S., Yamada, T., Terasawa, N. Graduate School of Natural Science & Technology, Kanazawa University. Perceptual and Motor Skills 2007 Dec;105(3 Pt 2):1109-16.. Researchers measured ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) for two groups of healthy, young endurance cyclists. Separated randomly, group one drank caffeinated coffee and group two unknowingly drank decaffeinated. Although there was no significant difference in physiological responses between the two groups, the caffeinated bunch reported a significantly lower RPEEffect of coffee ingestion on physiological responses and ratings of perceived exertion during submaximal endurance exercise. Demura, S., Yamada, T., Terasawa, N. Graduate School of Natural Science & Technology, Kanazawa University. Perceptual and Motor Skills 2007 Dec;105(3 Pt 2):1109-16.. Do just as much work. Feel less pain.

Researchers randomly separated another group of endurance cyclists into caffeine gulpers and decaf sippersCaffeine ingestion, affect and perceived exertion during prolonged cycling. Backhouse, SH., Biddle, SJ., Bishop, NC,. et al. Carnegie Research Institute, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, United Kingdom. Appetite 2011 May 13;57(1):247-252.. As the workout progressed, the gulpers reaped more and more benefits from the caffeine, as their perceived exertion decreased and pleasure increased relative to the forlorn decaf sippers.

TL;DR

Consuming caffeine before an intense workout may make workouts more fun.