Question

Research is defined as “a systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and research new conclusions”. Research also included designing research projects and performing statistical analysis. Design a research project that you feel would benefit the Clemson University Athletic Department. The research question is: What are the positive and negative effects of caffeine on athletic performance?

Included within your design and your research question, please provide a purpose statement, at least two hypotheses, a null hypothesis, the dependant and independant variable, a description of the type of data you will gather and how you will gather it, who is your population and how will you sample that population, and the type of statistical analysis you would use to analyze the data. Finally, please also discuss the potential benefit(s) the study would have on the athletic department.

Answer 1

Positive and Negative Effects of Caffeine on Athletic Performance

ABSTRACT

Athletes who use caffeine before exercising or competition may be upgrading themselves more than they realize. Caffeine is classified as a stimulant and is the most commonly used drug in the world. Caffeine has the same affects that amphetamines and cocaine have, just to a lesser degree. Caffeine crosses the membranes of all the body’s tissues. It can exert effects on the central nervous system and the peripheral tissues that result in physiological effects. Studies have shown that caffeine improves performance in a variety of different activities. This stimulant has been shown to be a powerful ergogenic aid that is beneficial in athletic training and performance. Caffeine has been found to increase speed and power, improve the length of training, and assist the athlete in resisting fatigue. Caffeine has been found to stimulate the brain, which contributes to clearer thinking and ability to concentrate more intensely on the task at hand. Studies have shown that up to 25% of athlete’s ages 11-18 years old have used caffeine in an effort to increase their athletic performances. Because of caffeine’s effect on the body and its ability to increase an athlete’s performance, Olympic Committees have debated on whether caffeine should be tested before the Olympic Games

Keywords: Caffeine, effect of coffeine, Performance enhancing drugs

NTRODUCTION

“Caffeine is classified as a stimulant and is performance enhancing” (Jenkinson & Harbert, 2008, pg. 3). Caffeine is the most commonly used drug. In general, society would not approve of an athlete using a steroid drug or a stimulant, but no one reacts negatively to athletes drinking coffee, tea, energy drinks, or soft drinks. Caffeine is appearing in a number of other products, including energy drinks, bars, sports gel, alcoholic beverages, and diet aids. Figure 1 shows a comparison of caffeinated drinks, many of which are used by athletes before a competition. The American Alliance for Health stated that there are three ways that caffeine may provide ergogenic effects. “First, the metabolic theory suggests that caffeine provides improved endurance due to an increased utilization of fat as fuel and a sparing effect on carbohydrate utilization. Secondly, caffeine may increase the calcium content of the skeletal muscle and enhance the strength of muscle contraction. Lastly, caffeine has a direct effect on the central nervous system as a stimulant, which can help with fatigue, increased alertness, and increased muscle recruitment” (Powers M, 2004, pg. 4).

For years, many athletes have used caffeine prior to competitions, but it wasn‟t until recently that caffeine has been discovered to aid an athlete‟s performance. “Results of studies reported over the last five years strongly indicate that caffeine effectively increases athletic performances in endurance events” (Sinclair & Geiger, 2000, pg. 2). Athletes ranging from long distance runners to those participating in strength and power competitions benefit from caffeine consumption. “Persons were able to complete a cycling time trial significantly faster after caffeine ingestion and 2,000-meter rowing time was reduced by 1.2 percent after caffeine ingestion” (Jenkinson & Harbert, 2008, pg. 3). Caffeine is a common substance found in the diets of many athletes; therefore, it is important to study the effects on the athletes‟ body. “Caffeine operates using the same mechanisms that amphetamines and cocaine use to stimulate the brain; however, the effects are milder because it crosses the membranes of all tissues in the body” (Powers M, 2004, pg. 4). Caffeine is a powerful ergogenic aid that may be beneficial in training and athletic performance. “It can exert its effects on both the central nervous system and the peripheral tissues, resulting in a number of physiological effects that might improve performance” (Powers M, 2004, pg. 4). Caffeine has been shown to increase speed and power. It also allows athletes to train longer. Caffeine stimulates the brain, which contributes to clearer thinking and greater concentration. Studies have shown that caffeine doesn‟t directly improve maximal oxygen capacity, but assists in the process of resisting fatigue. “Although the effectiveness of caffeine as a means of masking fatigue has been explored since the early 1900s, the use of this ergogenic aid became popular following widely publicized research indicating improved endurance performance” (Applegate & Grivetti, 1997, pg. 6). Like all drugs, caffeine use has side effects. There is no evidence that states that caffeine leads to dehydration, ion imbalance, or any other adverse effects.

The purpose of this paper is to explore caffeine‟s affect on athletic performance. An additional focus will be to search for information related to the benefits of caffeine that may improve athletic performance.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Studies have shown that caffeine improves performance in a variety of different activities. This stimulant has been shown to be a powerful ergogenic aid that is beneficial in athletic training and performance. Caffeine has been found to increase speed and power, improve the length of training, and assist the athlete in resisting fatigue. Caffeine has been found to stimulate the brain, which contributes to clearer thinking and ability to concentrate more intensely on the task at hand. So, in this study researcher going to find the positive and negative effects of coffeine on performance of athlets.

RESEARCH QUESTION

1. what are the positive and negative effect of caffeine on athletes performance.?

HYPOTHESIS OF THE RESEARCH

1. H0 - There is no significant association between the use of caffeine and the performance of athletes

2. H1 - There is a significant association between the use of caffeine and the performance of athletes

VARIABLES

• Dependent Variable -Athletic Performance

a variable whose value depends on that of another.

• Independent Variable - Use of Caffeine

a variable whose variation does not depend on that of another.

DATA COLLECTION

Primary data : Primary data is information collected through original or first-hand research.

For example, surveys and focus group discussions.

secondary data : secondary data is information which has been collected in the past by someone else.

POPULATION

• Athletic students of universities in Canada

SAMPLE

• Athletic students Queen's University, Bishop's University

SAMPLE SIZE

• 100 Athletic students

DATA ANALYSIS - QUANTITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS

• Correlation Analysis:Correlation analysis is a method of statistical evaluation used to study the strength of a relationship between two, numerically measured, continuous variables (e.g. height and weight). This particular type of analysis is useful when a researcher wants to establish if there are possible connections between variables.
• T-Test :T-Test for Two Correlated Groups. It is a test that checks whether there is any significant difference between the population means of two groups. It is used when two correlated groups of data (interval or ratio) are being compared.

DISCUSSION

The effects of caffeine on the human system are quite broad and differ based on the individual in the study. Research has shown that different people especially athletes(due to their extreme active body involvement) react differently to it’s ingestion.

While some generally get negative effects by taking the specified and accepted amount, others have no problem taking similar doses.

Before we get down to discuss the negative effects of caffeine consumption, let’s breakdown the positive effects of caffeine and the myths about it.

Positive effects of caffeine on athletes

1. Enhanced endurance

2. Strength Performance

3. Better Reaction (alertness) and Recovery

Negative effects of caffeine on athletes

1. Addiction of caffeine

2. Fatigue and dizziness

3. Muscle breakdown and skeletal effects

4. General body discomfort

REFERENCE

1. Antonio J. (2004) "Caffeine: The Forgotten Ergogenic Aid.” Strength and Conditioning Journal 26.6 (2004): 50-51. Research Library. ProQuest. Karl E. Mundt Library, Madison, SD. 22 Jan. 2009

2. Applegate E. & Grivetti L. (1997). Search for the competitive edge: A History of dietary fads and supplements. The Journal of Nutrition: 1996 ASNS Symposium Proceedings, 127(5S), 869S-873S. Retrieved October 30, 2009, from Research Library. (Document ID: 11802051).

3. Beaven C., Martyn, et al. (2008) "Dose Effect of Caffeine on Testosterone and Cortisol Responses to Resistance Exercise." International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism 18.2 (Apr. 2008): 131-141. EBSCO MegaFILE. EBSCO. [Library name], [City], [State abbreviation]. 29 Jan. 2009

4. Caffeine Aids Athlete Recovery. " Australasian Science 1 Sep. 2008: 6. ProQuest Education Journals. ProQuest. Karl E. Mundt Library, Madison, SD. 29 Jan. 2009

5. Clark N. (2005) "Caffeine and Performance.” Palaestra 1 Oct. 2005: 46. Research Library. ProQuest. Karl E. Mundt Library, Madison, SD. 22 Jan. 2009

https://www.alignthoughts.com/positive-and-negative-effects-of-caffeine-on-athletes/