The Effects of Caffeine on Post-Exercise Heart Rate Recovery

Abstract

By Jessica Vitrano, Health Sciences; Anna Griffin, Health Sciences

Advisor: Daniel Carl

Presentation ID: PM_B43

Abstract: Many people around the world use caffeine while exercising on a daily basis. There is little data examining interactions between the two variables and how they affect normal body functions like recovery heart rate. Due to the lack of research on the effect of caffeine on post-exercise heart rate, it is important to examine these effects, as they may influence cardiovascular health. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to determine the significance of caffeine and the effect it has on post-exercise heart rate. Subjects were recruited from the University of Cincinnati student population having met the following inclusion criteria: age 18 or above, no known heart abnormalities, caffeine sensitivity, and must not be pregnant. Individuals were randomly assigned to a caffeine or placebo group. The caffeine group ingested _ of their safe daily dose as determined by their body weight. Each subject completed a resting heart rate measurement, completed a 10 minute bicycle ride at a resistance 50% body weight, and then a timed post-exercise recovery heart rate measurement. A repeated measures ANOVA will be used to test differences between groups. Our hypothesis is that individuals ingesting caffeine will take significantly longer to return back to their resting heart rate following exercise. A finger pulse oximeter was used to determine all heart rate measurements.