INFLUENCE OF CAFFEINE IN EXERCISE PERFORMANCE IN OBESE STUDENTS

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of moderate dose (5 mg per kg) of caffeine ingestion on pulse rate, blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic) and energy expenditure (calories) during a steady state ex ercise period with a standardize power output as well as during a set time period, where participants were required to cycle with maximum effort. Eighteen healthy, overweight, sedentary, male, first year MBBS student who completed 15 minutes steady state c ycling exercise at a standardized power output equating to 65 % of heart rate max followed by 10 minutes stationary cycling where they were required to cycle with maximum effort after ingestion of caffeine (5 mg per kg) 60 minutes prior to exercise. Same s ubjects were used as control. Systolic blood pressure was increased after caffeine ingestion but there was no significant change in diastolic blood pressure. Pulse rate decreased after caffeine ingestion, which indicates decrease in heart rate. After caffe ine ingestion energy expenditure in the 2 nd part (10 minutes maximal) of exercise increased in very small amount but it is significantly increased in 1 st part of exercise (15 minutes sub maximal exercise).