Interesting study just released on the caffeine use of Kona athletes. 9% of caffeine takers in the sample use NoDoz pills before or during the race. Anyone here tried these things??
" IJSNEM, 16(5), October 2006,
Awareness and Use of Caffeine by Athletes Competing at the 2005 Ironman Triathlon World Championships
Ben Desbrow; Michael Leveritt Full Article Table of Contents for Vol. 16, Iss. 5
AbstractThis study assessed the knowledge, prevalence, and quantity of caffeine use by athletes competing at the 2005 Ironman Triathlon World Championships. Caffeine- related questionnaires were self-administered to 140 (105 male and 35 female, 40.3 ± 10.7 y) athletes representing 16 countries. Fifty of these athletes further consented to immediate post-race blood samples for analysis of plasma caffeine and paraxanthine using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Seventy-two percent of 70 athletes correctly identified caffeine as being an unrestricted substance in triathlon. The majority of athletes were planning on using a caffeinated substance immediately prior to or throughout the race. Cola drinks (78%), caffeinated gels (42%), coffee (usually pre-race) (37%), energy drinks (13%), and NoDoz tablets (9%) were the most popular caffeinated choices. Mean ± standard deviation (and range) post race plasma caffeine and paraxanthine levels were 22.3 ± 20 µmol/L (1.7 to 98.4) and 9.4 ± 6 µmol/L (1.8 to 28.9), respectively. Seven athletes (14%) finished with plasma caffeine levels = 40 µmol/L. Plasma values from elite athletes did not differ from age group competitors. Despite the prevalence of its consumption and the training experience of this athletic group, over one quarter of athletes remained either confused or uninformed about caffeine’s legality. Levels of plasma caffeine taken immediately post race indicated that athletes typically finish with quantities of caffeine that have been shown to improve endurance performance (i.e., ˜ 20 µmol/L or a dose of = 3 mg/kg body weight).
During prolonged exercise, the onset of fatigue correlates closely with the depletion of muscle glycogen stores (and is delayed if glycogen is spared). The metabolism of free fatty acids (FFA) as an alternative energy source can lead to decreased use of muscle glycogen. Caffeine can increase blood FFAs, and it is felt that this is its major method of action. In one study, caffeine produced a 50% increase in FFA at 3 to 4 hours. This effect was seen after 300 mg of caffeine
Yep. Though I prefer a hit of actual coffee. I’m planning on some iced coffee around the 3 and 6 hour marks at the 50 miler I’m doing. And lots of Coke. I’m sure my normal caffeine levels are off the chart.
I’ve attempted to down a Red Bull for what I believe is 80mg+ at the half marathon point, but mentally I was unable to get the sweet drink down… I fully believe in the caff…
Ahhh, caffeine pills. Nobody really likes to talk about how much a difference they can make in a (cycling) race, but everybody takes them. Water bottles are marked caffeinated and non-caffeinated. Riders exercise more redundancy in preparing for caffeine intake than your average nuclear missile system. Caffeine pills during the day and sleeping pills at night.
Motivators by Sports Quest. Somehow this product trickles into the sytem in a very nice way, where you it’s not like throwing boiling water onto a frozen wind shield!
They are my preferred source since I don’t stomach coffee and coke well. I usually only take half a pill 1 to 3 times during a race. At the most and hour or two before a race, In an IM sometime late in the bike and maybe at the 13 mile mark of the run.
I am pretty caffiene sensitive so that is all I need.
