The Study
Effects of resistance exercise alone or with caffeine on hemodynamics, autonomic modulation and arterial stiffness in resistance-trained women
This study tested if drinking coffee before lifting weights changes how your heart and blood vessels react. They gave some women coffee and some a fake drink, then measured everything carefully. Because they switched who got what, they can guess if coffee caused any changes — but they only tested 11 people, so we can't be super sure.
Analysis score
Maximum 90 for a randomized controlled trial.
Where the score came from
Scientists tested if drinking caffeine before lifting weights helps strong women lift more or feel less tired.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 548 / 100
Quality score
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. The gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1No, caffeine didn't make them stronger or put extra stress on their heart and arteries during or after lifting.
- 2Women lifted the same number of reps with or without caffeine, and their heart rate, blood pressure, and artery stiffness changed the same way with or without caffeine.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
European Journal of Applied Physiology
Year
2023
Authors
Jason C. Parks, Meredith C. Paskert, Erica M. Marshall, Sarah G. Kearney, Stacie M. Humm, Michelle A. Kern, A. Pinzone, Emily K Erb, Therese M. Smith, J. Kingsley, Ellen Adele Dawson
Related Content
Claims (6)
In resistance-trained women, performing squat and bench press exercises to muscular failure causes temporary increases in arterial stiffness and sympathetic nervous system activity, and consuming caffeine before the workout does not make these increases larger.
In women who regularly train with weights, taking 4 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight before lifting does not change how many repetitions they can complete on squats and bench presses, and does not affect their heart rate, blood pressure, nervous system response, or artery stiffness during rest or after exercise.
In women who regularly train with weights, consuming 4 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight does not improve physical performance, unlike in men or people who do not train regularly.
Resistance exercise that uses large muscle groups raises the amount of blood the heart pumps per minute by increasing both heart rate and the volume of blood pumped with each beat.
In women who regularly train with weights, consuming 4 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight before a workout does not change heart rate or blood pressure responses during the workout.
In resistance-trained women, consuming 4 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight does not increase arterial stiffness or disrupt heart rate regulation during or after weight training.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.