Caffeine, nature's steroids

Per the NY Times:

"Now, Dr. Tarnopolsky and others report that caffeine increases the power output of muscles by releasing calcium that is stored in muscle. The effect can enable athletes to keep going longer or to go faster in the same length of time. Caffeine also affects the brain’s sensation of exhaustion, that feeling that it’s time to stop, you can’t go on any more. That may be one way it improves endurance, Dr. Tarnopolsky said.

The performance improvement in controlled laboratory settings can be 20 to 25 percent, Dr. Tarnopolsky said. But in the real world, including all comers, the improvement may average about 5 percent, still significant if you want to get your best time or even win a race."

Time to ban all that coffee and soda from the clubhouse now too, right?

almost 3 years ago iamawesomer 7 comments 0 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Baseball writers aren't offended by caffeine use

So it’s still okay.

by Gina on Mar 28, 2009 3:32 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Protein, vegetables, good rest, and exercise

All have shown that they have the ability to increase health and, by extension, power. We must remove all food (except potato chips) from clubhouses, as well as all exercise equipment. The players must also not have access to beds in their hotels.

http://statspeak.net

by pizzacutter on Mar 28, 2009 3:42 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

That reminds me of Major League

when the Indians are put on that crappy bus.

vivaelbeñsheets

by vivaelpujols on Mar 29, 2009 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Caffeine is a regulated substance in NCAA events. I’m not sure about international testing standards. That said, you basically have to be popping caffeine pills to exceed the regulated threshold.

by APV on Mar 28, 2009 3:50 PM EDT reply actions

If someone tried to take my morning coke away from me

I think I might kill them.

by math_geek on Mar 28, 2009 10:59 PM EDT reply actions

We should also ban joy

People do better when they’re happy. It’s not fair to the depressed.

by MrIncognito on Mar 29, 2009 12:28 AM EDT reply actions

I think you guys are just going for the AAA-level things here. I think on a major league level – lets stop the game altogether, that way there won’t be any performance to improve in the first place.

"Swinging and missing to me is like 'Jesus, what happened?'" Scott Hatteberg

by Razr on Mar 29, 2009 4:09 PM EDT reply actions