Storm in a Coffee Cup

Many of us enjoy a cup of coffee – but if you’re an athlete, what effect is your morning cup of coffee having on your sporting performance?

Up until January 2004, when it was removed from the list, caffeine was a banned substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency - and it’s likely that it will come under review again later this year.

Now, a study into the positive effects of caffeine and carbohydrate intake on endurance athletes' performance, that is being undertaken at the UK’s University of Birmingham, is likely to add fuel to the debate.

Their research shows that adding 5mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight to an athlete’s sports drink increases the absorption of carbohydrate by 26% - potentially delivering a major energy boost to endurance athletes.