Caffeine Improves Bench Press Endurance

Bench press endurance is a standard part of many physical performance tests in sports, such as the NFL Combine Test. A British study showed that caffeine ingestion (5 mgs per kilogram) increased reps to failure in the bench press and maximum load, compared to a placebo. Caffeine also improved “mood state” and the perception of fatigue. Caffeine has a marked effect on mental and physical performance, yet it was removed from the International Olympic Committee’s banned substances list. Excessive caffeine intake is still prohibited by the NCAA. (Journal Strength Conditioning Research, 25: 178-185, 2011)