The influence of caffeine on voluntary muscle activation

Caffeine is a very common CNS stimulant that has been of interest to physiologists because of its direct effects on skeletal muscle in vitro, as well as ergogenic effects on laboratory tests of human performance. While in vitro studies have clearly demonstrated the effects of the drug on the CNS, the effects of caffeine on the voluntary activation of muscle in humans are less defined. Voluntary as well as involuntary supraspinal input, alpha motor neuron membrane properties, and afferent feedback to spinal and supraspinal neurons all modulate voluntary muscle activation, and caffeine may therefore alter muscle activation at several sites along the motor pathway. This review explores the effects of caffeine on voluntary muscle activation that have been demonstrated in recent human studies and discusses the central mechanisms that may enhance activation. Evidence of caffeine's effects on the motor evoked potential, Hoffman reflex, self-sustained firing of the alpha motor neuron, and pain and force sensation are presented as well as limitations and considerations of using the drug in human neuromuscular studies.