Caffeine Can Help Strengthen Muscles

Scientists claim that caffeine consumption may help improve muscle function, particularly in the elderly. Increased muscle function will help to maintain strength, reduce the risk of falls and injuries. The findings will be published on June 30, 2012 in the Society for Experimental Biology.

Sports Experts from Coventry University to see for the first time whether the effects of caffeine consumption associated with changes in muscle. The result is known that caffeine continue to improve muscle performance in rats, although less visible effective in older muscle.

In his study, the researchers isolated muscle from mice ranging in age from teenagers to senior citizens. Muscle performance and then tested before and after the mice were given caffeine. Researchers looked at two different skeletal muscles. The first is the diaphragm, the core muscles used for respiration, and the second is called the leg muscles extensor digitorum longus (EDL), which is used to move.

"Although the effect tends to decrease in muscles of older rats, consumption of caffeine may still provide benefits," Jason Tallis, principal investigator for the research.

For young adults, consumption of caffeine contributes to help the muscles to produce more power. But with age, our muscles will naturally change and become weaker.

Researchers said the effects of caffeine consumption are not very visible in young muscle. This may be because the muscles are still growing, so the effect of caffeine consumption is not too much difference.

Decrease in muscle strength with age contributes to trigger a wound or injury, and reduced quality of life. Researchers say that they do not know exactly how the mechanism of action of caffeine in increasing muscle strength. But it is clear that the key to keeping the muscles to remain strong is to keep active and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

"It is important to maintain the lifestyle to stay physically active to maintain health and functional capacity. Improved performance of caffeine can provide evidence of benefit in the process of aging," said Tallis.