British scientists have discovered that high doses of caffeine directly increases muscle strength and endurance during activity with relatively low intensity.

In fact, recent research has shown an increase of muscle performance during maximum activity, which in humans can range from daily tasks to marathon running. Coventry University researchers believe their findings may have implications for the use of caffeine in sport to improve performance.

“Very high doses of caffeine, ingested via pill, powder or concentrated liquid, can attract athletes who want to improve their athletic performance. And it is known that even small increases in performance by caffeine can mean the difference between silver and gold medals of gold,” explained scientist Dr Rob James.

To the conclusion that caffeine actually increases endurance during physical activity, scientists have come to test the impact of caffeine on strength and muscle endurance in mice, and during maximal and submaximum  activity.

Experts have discovered that during that 70 μM (micromoles per cubic decimetre (or per liter)) caffeine improves power output by 6 percent during both types of activities. This impact, researchers say, is likely to be very similar in humans.

Resultant of caffeine in plasma (70 μM maximum) can act on receptors in the muscle, causing increased production of power.