Coffee and Pasta – Prescription For Performance

An article published in the Melbourne Herald Sun reports that a cup of coffee and a bowl of pasta could make the ideal recovery session for athletes heading to Beijing, Melbourne research has found.

The article, written by Kamahl Cogdon, goes on to say that an RMIT (Royal Melb. Institute Technology) study shows glycogen, the main fuel source for muscles, is replenished faster when elite athletes consume both caffeine and carbohydrates after exercising.

Head of the University’s exercise and metabolism group, Prof John Hawley, said the study found athletes who added caffeine to their post-exercise meal had 66 per cent more glycogen in their muscles than those who ate only carbohydrates.

“If you have 66 per cent more fuel for the next day’s training or competition, there’s no question you’ll be able to go further and faster,” Prof Hawley said.

“While it’s been established that carbohydrates and caffeine improve a variety of athletic performances, this is the first study that has revealed that combining caffeine with carbohydrates after you’ve exercised can actually help your muscles refuel.”

The study, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, monitored seven cyclists who were given a plain carbohydrate drink or one mixed with strong coffee.

Prof Hawley said the research could help elite athletes looking for an edge.

(Source: Melbourne Sun Herald 8th July 2008) 

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