"Caffeine may ease post-workout muscle pain"

**Prada** · 01-18-2007, 12:58 AM

http://today.reuters.com/news/articl...1-ArticlePage2

By Amy Norton

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - That morning cup of coffee may be an antidote to post-exercise muscle soreness, if preliminary research is correct.

In a small study of female college students, researchers found that a caffeine supplement seemed to lessen the familiar muscle pain that crops up the day after a particularly challenging workout.

Known as delayed-onset muscle soreness, or DOMS, the pain is common in the day or two after a workout that was more intense than normal. Exercise that involves eccentric contraction of the muscles is particularly likely to cause delayed muscle pain.

In eccentric contraction, the muscle produces a force while it's being lengthened. This happens when a person runs downhill, for example, or lowers a weight during a bicep curl.

Exercisers and researchers alike have tried many ways to prevent DOMS -- including over-the-counter painkillers, stretching and massage -- but studies have found no cure-all for the problem.

In the current study, published in the Journal of Pain, researchers at the University of Georgia in Athens looked at the effects of a caffeine supplement on delayed muscle pain in nine young women.

First, in a simulated workout, the researchers used electrical stimulation to produce eccentric contractions in the women's thigh muscles -- enough to cause moderate day-after soreness.

Next, they repeated the procedure over the next two days, but on each day, the women took either a caffeine pill or placebo pill one hour before the muscle workout. Neither the women nor the researchers knew which pill was given on which day.

Overall, the women reported significantly less muscle soreness during the workout when they took caffeine instead of the placebo. The supplement had about the amount of caffeine found in two cups of coffee.

The theory is that caffeine eases delayed muscle pain by blocking the activity of a chemical called adenosine, which is released as part of the inflammatory response to injury. Adenosine can activate pain receptors in body cells, explained Victor Maridakis, the study's lead author.

In this study, he told Reuters Health, the pain relief with caffeine was stronger than that from painkillers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and naproxen (Aleve).

Maridakis noted that research into another popular pain reliever, ibuprofen, has shown inconsistent results, and it's unclear whether the drug -- sold under brand names like Advil and Motrin -- aids delayed muscle soreness.

Before downing a couple cups of joe before your workout, however, Maridakis recommends careful consideration of the possible side effects of caffeine.

"The negative side effects of caffeine are increased feelings of anxiety, heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, upset stomach, increased urination and disrupted sleep," he explained. "Caution should be used when consuming caffeine so not to exacerbate these side effects."

Though most people are "normal responders" to caffeine, Maridakis noted, some are hypersensitive to it and are at higher risk of side effects.

On the other end of the spectrum are the caffeine-resistant types. People who drink a couple cups of coffee a day tend to become desensitized to caffeine, the study authors point out, and it's unclear whether a dose of caffeine would aid their post-workout muscle pain.

**drinu** · 01-18-2007, 06:17 AM

The caffeine debate seem to never end one day its good one day its bad

**Prada** · 01-18-2007, 12:17 PM

True,
but this is the first study I've seen of caffeine's effect on DOMS. I mean lets be clear its not some cure for anything really, it just soothes the pain from post workout. So for those who cant cope or tolerate the pain, well it may be beneficial

**singern** · 01-18-2007, 12:33 PM

I can attest to this,
For the last month i have been taking my NOExplode (which contains around 80mg of caffein) post workout, I know I know ........
But it works for me anyway.

**Prada** · 01-18-2007, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by singern

I can attest to this,
For the last month i have been taking my NOExplode (which contains around 80mg of caffein) post workout, I know I know ........
But it works for me anyway.

You mean that your recovery was faster or that you didnt feel the soreness from muscle breakdown?

**Kärnfysikern** · 01-18-2007, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by Prada

True,
but this is the first study I've seen of caffeine's effect on DOMS. I mean lets be clear its not some cure for anything really, it just soothes the pain from post workout. So for those who cant cope or tolerate the pain, well it may be beneficial

Why would anyone want to get rid of doms. I LOVE it. It is the reward of a good workout. I get pissed of if I dont feel it the day after.

**Prada** · 01-18-2007, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by johan

Why would anyone want to get rid of doms. I LOVE it. It is the reward of a good workout. I get pissed of if I dont feel it the day after.

Are you scolding me!

You know I was thinking the EXACT same thing, I think we have some perversion. We love pain!!!

Im at work or school and saying how my quads are killing me. With a hugh

People are like is this guy normal

**Kärnfysikern** · 01-18-2007, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by Prada

Are you scolding me!

You know I was thinking the EXACT same thing, I think we have some perversion. We love pain!!!

Im at work or school and saying how my quads are killing me. With a hugh

People are like is this guy normal

We are a different breed of wierdos that is for sure

I still have fond memories of my first leg workout ever and how I could not get out of bed the day after. I could only take small babysteps and walking in stairs was out of the question.

To bad soreness like that only happen once in life. Right now I havent lifted weights for over a month. Im looking forward to soreness heaven when I get cash so I can renew my membership.

**singern** · 01-18-2007, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by Prada

You mean that your recovery was faster or that you didnt feel the soreness from muscle breakdown?

Dont feel sore after my workout, Especially on Back/leg days. Normally squats make me sore as hell, but no more.

**singern** · 01-18-2007, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by johan

Why would anyone want to get rid of doms. I LOVE it. It is the reward of a good workout. I get pissed of if I dont feel it the day after.

For me at least there is a big difference between the PUMP (which I love) and the soreness and pain I get. Mostly due to my age and bad joints.

**Prada** · 01-18-2007, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by johan

We are a different breed of wierdos that is for sure

I still have fond memories of my first leg workout ever and how I could not get out of bed the day after. I could only take small babysteps and walking in stairs was out of the question.

To bad soreness like that only happen once in life. Right now I havent lifted weights for over a month. Im looking forward to soreness heaven when I get cash so I can renew my membership.

Ahh the days we were virgins.........good'ol days.

Yeah man get back in the gym asap, you dont want to lose all the hardwork.
How was you DNP experience?

**Kärnfysikern** · 01-18-2007, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by singern

For me at least there is a big difference between the PUMP (which I love) and the soreness and pain I get. Mostly due to my age and bad joints.

Yeah feeling it in the joints sure isnt fun I can agree with that. The years when my knee was so bad I limped after leg workouts sucked.

**Prada** · 01-18-2007, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by singern

Dont feel sore after my workout, Especially on Back/leg days. Normally squats make me sore as hell, but no more.

Did it make a difference in recovery? Thus unabling you to retrain the same muscles more often? Would you say that no, its just the pain that is alleviated but still need to take time off as normal? I would tend to think its the latter

**Kärnfysikern** · 01-18-2007, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by Prada

Ahh the days we were virgins.........good'ol days.

Yeah man get back in the gym asap, you dont want to lose all the hardwork.
How was you DNP experience?

Ohh I have already lost everything

last summer I got my bench up to 160kg and broke my old pr with 20kg. But since then it has been downhill. I havent had time or energy to workout all fall. Just one or two workouts here and there each week. I would probably struggle with 130kg if I tried today and my squat has gone from 180kg to like 130kg.

Right now I am the fattest and smallest I have been for atleast 4 years. It sucks looking in the mirror.

I started cutting 3 weeks ago though and Il get into shape to summer even if I have to kill myself in the process.

I have done DNP several times and always been pleased with it. This last time was so so though. If you search in the members pic forum for my name you will find a dirt old thread with before and after pics of dnp.

**singern** · 01-18-2007, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by Prada

Did it make a difference in recovery? Thus unabling you to retrain the same muscles more often? Would you say that no, its just the pain that is alleviated but still need to take time off as normal? I would tend to think its the latter

Well as a matter of personal preference I workout 3 days on and one day off. But since I started taking NoExplode after my workout, I just feel great walking in or out of the gym. Whether its just cloaking the pain, or causing a conditional change I dont know.

**Prada** · 01-18-2007, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by singern

Well as a matter of personal preference I workout 3 days on and one day off. But since I started taking NoExplode after my workout, I just feel great walking in or out of the gym. Whether its just cloaking the pain, or causing a conditional change I dont know.

I have the exact same WO split. Im using NO Shotgun and feel the exact same thing. I suspect its the caffeine thats masking the fatigue. i have noticed that I dont have those "lazy workouts" anymore. You know the ones you drag yourself through? I hate taking stimulants but if I always have great workouts then a cup of coffee preworkout isnt bad.

**Prada** · 01-18-2007, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by johan

Ohh I have already lost everything

last summer I got my bench up to 160kg and broke my old pr with 20kg. But since then it has been downhill. I havent had time or energy to workout all fall. Just one or two workouts here and there each week. I would probably struggle with 130kg if I tried today and my squat has gone from 180kg to like 130kg.

Right now I am the fattest and smallest I have been for atleast 4 years. It sucks looking in the mirror.

I started cutting 3 weeks ago though and Il get into shape to summer even if I have to kill myself in the process.

I have done DNP several times and always been pleased with it. This last time was so so though. If you search in the members pic forum for my name you will find a dirt old thread with before and after pics of dnp.

Ill check that out.

**Kärnfysikern** · 01-18-2007, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by Prada

I have the exact same WO split. Im using NO Shotgun and feel the exact same thing. I suspect its the caffeine thats masking the fatigue. i have noticed that I dont have those "lazy workouts" anymore. You know the ones you drag yourself through? I hate taking stimulants but if I always have great workouts then a cup of coffee preworkout isnt bad.

The only thing that has that effect on me is ephedra and it also gives me heart palpations

I think its bad in the long run to push through workotus with stimulants. It might feel good for the moment but 3-4 months down the line the body just say "**** this".

**Kärnfysikern** · 01-18-2007, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by Prada

Ill check that out.

Also keep in mind I am one of those ****ers that have such a hard time getting cut that it isnt even funny. I have never had abs in my entire life. So getting those results in a week was a miracle.

Its in the member cycle results btw not pics.

**singern** · 01-18-2007, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by johan

The only thing that has that effect on me is ephedra and it also gives me heart palpations

I think its bad in the long run to push through workotus with stimulants. It might feel good for the moment but 3-4 months down the line the body just say "**** this".

Never tried Ephedra, but I agree on the danger of taking a stimulant pre workout, at least for me the speed rush is too intense.

**Prada** · 01-18-2007, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by johan

Also keep in mind I am one of those ****ers that have such a hard time getting cut that it isnt even funny. I have never had abs in my entire life. So getting those results in a week was a miracle.

Its in the member cycle results btw not pics.

Wow those results in such a short lapse of time are mesmerizing. You seem to have a lean frame but for some reason are holding more a**ominal fat. Pardon me for asking but were you a bit more fat years prior to those pics? You dont seem that far off.

I have yet to try Clen but for now my body reacts quite well in changes in diet. I drink to much but during the summer I cut that out and get the abs to pop out. For me its all in diet and I can do minimal cardio and get my abs to appear.

**Kärnfysikern** · 01-19-2007, 04:05 AM

Originally Posted by Prada

Wow those results in such a short lapse of time are mesmerizing. You seem to have a lean frame but for some reason are holding more a**ominal fat. Pardon me for asking but were you a bit more fat years prior to those pics? You dont seem that far off.

I have yet to try Clen but for now my body reacts quite well in changes in diet. I drink to much but during the summer I cut that out and get the abs to pop out. For me its all in diet and I can do minimal cardio and get my abs to appear.

Yeah I was a little fugdeball when I was a kid. From the age of 9 to 15 I was a little obese bastard that lived on french fries and never did anything except play computer games. I guess I have my shitty metabolism because of that. Obesity runs in the family, my grandmother was obese, my mother was obese, my sister is severly obese and my sisters oldets kid is getting quite fat.

I have come to the point a few times that I can se my abs if I just stretch my skin down a bit with my hands. So loose skin in the tummy area is a problem for me and I guess it wont go away naturaly. I have LOADS of stretchmarks on my stomach from the times when I was fat.

I have a tendency to store fat in the lovehandles, on the lower back and on the tits. I guess the estrogen related deposits. But arimidex or proviron doesnt seem to help in removing the fat in those areas when I cut.
I get striations on my quads and visible veins each time I cut, but no abs or defined chest

I just dont seem able to get rid of the last fat.
This is what my quads look like when I drop a bit more fat than in the after dnp pics. Shitty pic but it clearly shows how much more cut my lower body gets.

A word of advice about clen . Stay the **** away from it!! I abused the shit out of it along with t-3 in periods for a couple of years and then wierd shit started to happen to my body. Dont touch DNP either it just aint worth it. Everytime I run it I promise myself never ever ever again.

**Prada** · 01-19-2007, 11:36 AM

Yeah I had a feeling you were a "fudgeball". :d
I think you would have to do intense cardio to get rid of it.
I've done ephedrine once for 3 weeks, it was okay. Honestly the best resluts out of Diet, Cardio and Sups, for me, comes from diet.
I have no intention of using Clen anytime soon and Im staying the hell away from DNP .................oh yeah and the booze.