Caffeine Use in Tactical Athletes
by Megan Lautz, MS, RD, TSAC-F
TSAC Report
April 2021
Vol 59, Issue 8
The purpose of this article is to discuss caffeine use in tactical populations and provide recommendations for responsible consumption.
Paywall block issue
This article is not configured properly for members or paid content.
isMemberOnly: {{isMemberOnly}} | isPaidContent: {{isPaidContent}}
spc: One or more parts of the product SPC is missing.
Read the full article
View the video
Login to view more
{{discountDesc}} Valid thru {{discountEnds}}
This {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}} is available with a NSCA membership
or can be purchased for {{prices}}
or can be purchased. Price range: {{prices}}
Price includes membership pricing and promotions
This {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}} can be purchased for {{prices}}
Price includes membership pricing and promotions
Purchase this {{ogType == 'video.other' ? 'video':'article'}}. Price range: {{prices}}
Price range includes membership pricing and promotions
This article originally appeared in TSAC Report, the NSCA’s quarterly, online-only publication geared toward the training of tactical athletes, operators, and facilitators. It provides research-based articles, performance drills, and conditioning techniques for operational, tactical athletes. The TSAC Report is only available for NSCA Members. Read more articles from TSAC Report
Related Reading
References
1. Campbell, B, Wilborn, C, La Bounty, P, Taylor, L, Nelson, M, Greenwood, M, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: Energy drinks. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. Retrieved August 29, 2020 from https://jissn. biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1550-2783-10-1.
2. Carey, MG, Al-Zaiti, SS, Dean, GE, Sessanna, L, and Finnell, DS. Sleep problems, depression, substance use, social bonding, and quality of life in professional firefighters. Journal of Occupational Environmental Medicine 53(8): 928-933, 2011.
3. Goldstein, ER, Ziegenfuss, T, Kalman, D, Kreider, R, Campbell, B, Wilborn, C, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: Caffeine and performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. Retrieved August 29, 2020 from https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/ articles/10.1186/1550-2783-7-5.
4. Greaves, M. Caffeine intake among law enforcement officers participating in shift work. Master’s thesis. East Carolina University. 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2020 from https://thescholarship.ecu. edu/handle/10342/4334.
5. Johnson, LA, Foster, D, and McDowell, JC. Energy drinks: Review of performance benefits, health concerns, and use by military personnel. Military Medicine 179(4): 375-380, 2014.
6. Kalmar, JM, and Cafarelli, E. Effects of caffeine on neuromuscular function. Journal of Applied Physiology 87(2): 801-808, 1999.
7. Knapik, JJ, Austin, KG, McGraw, SM, Leahy, GD, and Lieberman, HR. Caffeine consumption among active duty United States Air Force personnel. Food and Chemical Toxicology 105: 377-386, 2017.
8. Knapik, JJ, Trone, DW, McGraw, S, Steelman, RA, Austin, KG, and Lieberman, HR. Caffeine use among active duty Navy and Marine Corps personnel. Nutrients 8(10): 620, 2016.
9. Lara, B, Ruiz-Moreno, C, Salinero, JJ, and Del Coso, J. Time course of tolerance to the performance benefits of caffeine. PloS One 14(1): 2019.
10. Monaghan, TP, Jacobson, BH, Sellers, JH, and Estrada, CA. Effects of energy beverage consumption on pistol aiming steadiness in law enforcement officers. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 31(9): 2557-2561, 2017.
11. Operation Supplement Safety. Department of Defense. Retrieved August 2020 from https://www.opss.org/.
12. Pickering, C, and Kiely, J. Are the current guidelines on caffeine use in sport optimal for everyone? Inter-individual variation in caffeine ergogenicity, and a move towards personalised sports nutrition. Sports Medicine 48(1): 7-16, 2018.
13. Spilling the beans: How much coffee is too much. Food and Drug Administration. 2018. Retrieved June 2020 from https://www. fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-muchcaffeine- too-much.
14. Spriet, LL. Exercise and sport performance with low doses of caffeine. Sports Medicine 44 (Suppl 2): 175-184, 2014.
15. Temple, JL, Bernard, C, Lipshultz, SE, Czachor, JD, Westphal, JA, and Mestre, MA. The safety of ingested caffeine: A comprehensive review. Frontiers in Psychiatry 8(80): 2017.
16. Tharion, WJ, Shukitt-Hale, B, and Lieberman, HR. Caffeine effects on marksmanship during high-stress military training with 72 hour sleep deprivation. Aviatiation, Space, and Environmental Medicine 74(4): 309-314, 2003.
17. Toblin, RL, Clarke-Walper, K, Kok, BC, Sipos, ML, and Thomas, JL. Energy drink consumption and its association with sleep problems among U.S. service members on a combat deployment— Afghanistan, 2010. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 61: 895-898, 2012.
18. Toblin, RL, Adrian, AL, Hoge, CW, and Adler, AB. Energy drink use in U.S. service members after deployment: Associations with mental health problems, aggression, and fatigue. Military Medicine 183(11-12): 364-370, 2018.
19. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2020 from https:// fdc.nal.usda.gov/.
20. Wickham, KA, and Spriet, LL. Administration of caffeine in alternate forms. Sports Medicine 48(Suppl 1): 79-91, 2018.
