Chris a junior on the Gophers football team read some inform

Chris, a junior on the Gophers football team, read some information on the use of ergogenic aids in sports and is curious about the benefits of caffeine for performance. He goes to GNC and finds a caffeine supplement (pill form) that claims to make you feel energized for 24 hours and decrease your body fat percentage. The box that contains the caffeine supplement lists testimonials from real users, but contains no references to any scientific studies to back up their energy and body fat claims.Chris is already a habitual coffee and tea drinker and wonders if this supplement will help him in football.

Please use this information to answer the following questions (PLEASE BE SURE THE ANSWERS YOU\'RE GOING TO GIVE MATCH THE DESCRIPTION OF STORY ABOVE AND PLEASE ADD AMA CITATION).

1. Define ergogenic aids and explain how caffeine works as an ergogenic aid.

2. What are some of the red flags that Chris should consider before purchasing this supplement?

3. What are some of the side effects of caffeine use when consumed in large quantities (1.5 g or more)?

Solution

1. Ergogenic aids are the dietary supplements which are used as performance enhancers. These increase the level of physical performance when consumed. The ergogenic acids have psychological, physiological, nutritional and/or pharmacological effects in the body.

Trimethylxantine found in caffeine stimulates the CNS. This effects reduces the sensation of pain, fatigue and the effort required for performance. It decreases the perceived exertion thereby aiding in increase of mental alertness by promoting the release of fatty acids. Thus, caffeine works as an ergonomic aid.

2. There are some red flags to be considered by Chris when purchasing caffeine as the ergonomic aid. First of all the use of ergonomic aid for enhancing performance is controversial in terms of being ethical. The substance consumed might have a great chance to have been contaminated with any other illegal banned substance as an ergonomic aid. Ergonomic aids are not always safe. Hence, the validity of the claims related to nutrition and exercise, the quality of the supportive evidence provided, and health and legal consequences of the claim should be double checked before purchasing the aid.

3. Caffeine boosts energy but when the pills are consumed orally and in large quantity they may have side effects since caffeine acts on CNS. Some of the possible side effects include irritability,insomnia, feeling nervous and restless, stomach irritation,nausea and vomiting, increased heart rate and respiratory trouble.