Pre-Exercise Caffeine as a Modulator of Exercise-Induced Acute Cardiometabolic Responses: A Narrative Review

Area of Science:

• Sports Nutrition
• Exercise Physiology
• Cardiovascular Science

Background:

• Caffeine is a widely used sports supplement with proven ergogenic effects.
• Exercise is an acute cardiometabolic stressor, influencing various physiological systems.
• Caffeine's impact on exercise extends beyond performance enhancement to cardiometabolic responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the acute cardiometabolic responses to pre-exercise caffeine supplementation.
• To explore the regulatory effects and underlying biological mechanisms of caffeine during exercise.
• To synthesize current evidence on caffeine's context-dependent effects on exercise physiology.

Main Methods:

• Focused narrative review of existing literature.
• Examination of biological mechanisms: adenosine receptor antagonism, hemodynamic, vascular, metabolic pathways.
• Synthesis of evidence on caffeine's acute effects in various exercise contexts.

Main Results:

• Caffeine's acute effects are context-dependent, varying with dose, timing, exercise type, and individual factors.
• Potential to promote lipolysis and fat oxidation in some settings.
• May increase cardiovascular/autonomic load in others, affecting blood pressure and recovery.

Conclusions:

• Pre-exercise caffeine is a physiological modulator, not just an ergogenic aid.
• Its cardiometabolic effects are complex and individualized.
• Future research needs integrated measures and longer observation periods for personalized guidance.