Power up: Caffeine supplementation found to boost the performance of combat sport athletes

( Natural News ) Researchers have found another supplement ideal for athletes: caffeine. A systematic review published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition has determined that caffeine supplements can improve strength, power, and endurance in combat sports athletes . For the review, researchers from Spain and the U.S. looked at nine studies published since 2010 that evaluated the effect of caffeine on the performance of athletes in combat sports. The studies examined 109 participants in total: 42 were Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes, 33 were taekwondo athletes, and 34 were judo athletes. The studies examined caffeine at doses of 3 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg), 4 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, and 6 mg/kg at different times before exercise testing. Six of these studies presented a positive correlation between caffeine, physical performance, stamina, and recovery. The researchers found that caffeine doses of 3 to 6 mg/kg have been linked to increased glycolytic activity or breakdown of glucose during the execution of real or simulated combats. Caffeine intake increased hand grip strength, maximum bench press reps, and kick reaction speed compared to placebo. Unlike other workout supplements such as creatine, caffeine does not promote weight gain. This makes it a great supplement for combat sports athletes who have the same energy requirements as other athletes, but their calorie intake is restricted because they need to stay in their weight class. Other studies on caffeine as a workout supplement Many studies have shown that caffeine effectively improves exercise performance . There are studies that have shown that pure caffeine can help endurance athletes run faster and cycle for longer. Other studies have shown that it can help footballers sprint more often and over greater distances, and basketball players to jump higher. There is some evidence that it can also improve the accuracy […]

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