Muscle pain and discomfort are a major limiting factor to high intensity exercise efforts. Previous attempts to reduce or minimize muscle soreness during exercise have produced relatively little practical benefit. A recent study published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism suggests that caffeine may provide a solution.
Twenty-five college-aged men who were either low or high-caffeine consumers ingested caffeine or a placebo followed by 30 minutes of cycling one hour later. The experimental beverage contained 5mg caffeine per kg of bodyweight, or the equivalent of 3 to 4 cups of coffee or Red Bulls. The researchers assessed the participants perceived level of quadriceps muscle pain along with exercise oxygen consumption, heart rate, and cycling work rate.
