Elsevier

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

Volume 71, December 2016, Pages 294-312
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

Review article
A review of caffeine’s effects on cognitive, physical and occupational performance

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.09.001Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Highlights

  • Caffeine in beverages and foods blocks central and peripheral adenosine receptors.

  • Low (40 mg, 0.5 mg kg−1) to moderate (300 mg, 4 mg kg−1) doses improve cognition.

  • Doses >200 mg (∼3 mg kg−1) are ergogenic across a spectrum of exercise modalities.

  • Caffeine is effective to offset physical and cognitive degradation with sleep loss.

Abstract

Caffeine is consumed by over 80% of U.S. adults. This review examines the effects caffeine has on cognitive and physical function, since most real-world activities require complex decision making, motor processing and movement. Caffeine exerts its effects by blocking adenosine receptors. Following low (∼40 mg or ∼0.5 mg kg−1) to moderate (∼300 mg or 4 mg kg−1) caffeine doses, alertness, vigilance, attention, reaction time and attention improve, but less consistent effects are observed on memory and higher-order executive function, such as judgment and decision making. Effects on physical performance on a vast array of physical performance metrics such as time-to-exhaustion, time-trial, muscle strength and endurance, and high-intensity sprints typical of team sports are evident following doses that exceed about 200 mg (∼3 mg kg−1). Many occupations, including military, first responders, transport workers and factory shift workers, require optimal physical and cognitive function to ensure success, workplace safety and productivity. In these circumstances, that may include restricted sleep, repeated administration of caffeine is an effective strategy to maintain physical and cognitive capabilities.

Keywords

Adenosine receptors
Energy drinks
Vigilance
Attention
Reaction time
Time-to-exhaustion
Time-trial
Muscle strength and power
High-intensity sprints
Restricted sleep
Sustained wakefulness

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