Assignment Discussion:
Ergogenic aids can be a technique or substance used to enhance physical performance. They are categorized in five categories physiological, psychological, nutritional, pharmacological, and mechanical.
World Anti-Doping Agency has taken off caffeine from their list of prohibited but still monitors it closely to make sure it is not misused. Other associations such as National Collegiate Athletic Association consider a urinary level of >15µg/ml illegal. There are mixed reviews when it comes to caffeine being used as an ergogenic aid. There was a study done with caffeine and a placebo as ergogenic aids where eighteen male athletes were doing anaerobic exercises such as chest presses, Wingate tests, and leg presses. It was shown that the athletes had over all greater performances in the chest press and Wingate test but there was no significant difference with the leg presses during their caffeine trial. This may be due to various other reasons due to caffeine usage, dosage, etc....
There are negatives to caffeine withdrawal which can cause headaches, irritability, tiredness, nausea, decreased alertness, and increased sleepiness. Further studies need to be conducted on how this affects athletes' performance, but caffeine withdrawals do seem to occur 24- 48 hours after they last had caffeine.
References:
Ivy, J. L. (1994). 12Food Components That May Optimize Physical Performance: An Overview. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Martins, G. L., Guilherme, J. P. L. F., Ferreira, L. H. B., de Souza-Junior, T. P., & Lancha, A. H. J. (1AD, January 1). Caffeine and exercise performance: Possible directions for definitive findings. Frontiers.