RESEARCH REVIEW
CEC ARTICLE
1 OF 5 ARTICLES
I ’ M HITTING THE WEIGHTS RACK
THREE CUPS OF COFFEE PLEASE
A meta-analysis of caffeine consumption in relation to athletic and strength performance finds strong evidence for significant gains - but not for everyone and not without side-effects . Review by Assoc Prof Mike Climstein , PhD & Dr Joe Walsh , PhD
Prologue : A long time ago in a galaxy far , far away … OK , that may be a little over-theatrical ; let ’ s try again . Over 22 years ago I was delivering lectures on ‘ special populations ’ as it was called back then , primarily on the topics of heart disease , osteoporosis and ageing . The audience for these lectures consisted of fitness enthusiasts studying to be fitness leaders and personal trainers at ‘ Network for Fitness Professionals ’ in Sydney . A colleague and surf buddy of mine , Liz Dene ( a respected figure in the fitness industry ), said to me ‘ Mikey , you should write an article for our Network magazine , I know the editor would be interested in you contributing ’. Now , I ’ m not in favour of being called ‘ Mikey ’, but Liz always gets away with it . Regardless , that was the start of Research Reviews with Network .
It is important that I pay homage to that humble beginning as , like all good things , it must come to an end … or must it ? This may be the last Research Review that will appear in the magazine format , but this prehistoric man is moving with the times , and will continue publishing the Research Reviews through Network online . To Liz , I thank you for initiating this journey and making it possible ; to the Network magazine team , especially Oli our editor and Jack the primary designer , you make us look damn good . I thank you all for your patience and support , which I continue to enjoy . My Research Review colleague and friend Dr Joe Walsh and I are excited to keep Network ’ s fitness professional readership abreast of some of the more interesting and relevant developments in the world of exercise-related research . Which brings us , neatly , to this issue ’ s review . Introduction : Early to bed , early to rise gets Mike the best waves in the morning . It ’ s