Caffeine and Amphetamines as Nutritional Ergogenic Aids

Introduction to Nutritional Ergogenic Aids

The word "ergogenic" means having a tendency to increase work. In the context of sports, this term encompasses processes employed to enhance both the production and performance of physiological energy. Nutritional ergogenic aids can be defined as dietary and nutritive supplements that purportedly increase the level of performance beyond what would be expected under normal circumstances and conditions (Coleman). A supplement can be defined as a substance added to the everyday diet of an individual in order to redress a nutritional deficiency. More often than not, athletes anticipate that ergogenic aids will offer them a competitive advantage in their events, as they uniformly do not aspire to lose. Given that sporting races and competitive events are sometimes won by differences as small as one hundredth of a second, it is not surprising that athletes continually seek out the newest ergogenic aid (Coleman).

According to Applegate (710), contemporary ergogenic aids differ from the more familiar caffeine and amino acids, and now include more unusual substances such as lipoic acid and dihydroxyacetone. However, the pursuit of peak performance through nutritional supplements has been common since the ancient Olympic Games, more than two millennia ago. This paper discusses two ergogenic products that can be purchased over the internet: caffeine and amphetamines.

Caffeine as an Ergogenic Aid

Caffeine is a trimethylxanthine that occurs naturally and can be obtained from a number of different plants. It is broadly accepted by sports scientists as an effective ergogenic aid. The primary claimed benefit of caffeine is its stimulating effect on the central nervous system, which brings about a reduction in the sense of fatigue, perceived work effort, and pain. In addition, caffeine enhances mental sharpness, alertness, concentration, and technical skill both during and following vigorous activity or exhaustion. It is also believed that caffeine enhances fat utilization in the body, and it has been shown to increase time to exhaustion during endurance activities, as well as improving sprint, muscle, and strength performance (Harnish).

According to Mangus and Trowbridge (60), most research published over the past two decades supports the idea that caffeine can have a beneficial impact on endurance performance in both male and female athletes. A blend of physiological events may produce this ergogenic effect, including impacts on the cardiac, metabolic, and central nervous systems. It remains unclear whether caffeine enhances fat oxidation, alters calcium activity in the muscles, or simply masks the perception of fatigue — conceivably, all of these mechanisms occur simultaneously. Caffeine capsules appear to be more effective than drinking coffee or other highly caffeinated beverages.

Health Risks and Side Effects of Caffeine

Caffeine capsules sold as an ergogenic aid typically contain 200 mg of caffeine; 100 capsules cost approximately $8 to $13. The drug is considered overpriced relative to its raw cost, owing to its popularity and hype as a direct stimulant for athletes. Caffeine capsules can be regarded as relatively safe; however, abuse and misuse can have harmful effects on the human body.

Several health concerns are associated with caffeine misuse by athletes. These include tachycardia during exercise, increased blood pressure in healthy and mildly hypertensive individuals, abdominal pain, and addiction. The combination of caffeine-induced CNS stimulation with the elevated heart rate from physical exertion can produce adverse cardiac effects during vigorous exercise. The drug may also cause nausea, intestinal pain, and diarrhea, leading to significant fluid loss. Long-term use can result in tolerance and addiction. Sudden withdrawal from caffeine can cause headaches, weariness, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms, all of which can impair physical performance (Mangus and Trowbridge 60).

References

Applegate, L. (2005). Nutritional ergogenic aids. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 82(3), 710–711.

Coleman, E. (2000). Ergogenic aids. Retrieved 13 June from: http://health.csusb.edu/dchen/sports%20nutrition/ergogenic_aids%20chapter.htm

Harnish, C. (2015). Caffeine, the ergogenic aid. Retrieved 13 June from: http://www.active.com/nutrition/articles/caffeine-the-ergogenic-aid

Quinn, E. (2014). Amphetamines — stimulants — performance enhancing drugs. About Health. Retrieved 13 June from:

Zaretsky, D. V., Brown, M. B., Zaretskaia, M. V., Durant, P. J., & Rusyniak, D. E. (2014). The ergogenic effect of amphetamine. Temperature, 1(3), 242–247. https://doi.org/10.4161/23328940.2014.987564