‘Cyclists, be cautious with caffeine’

Expert opinion: Jack James is Professor of Psychology at Reykjavik University, Iceland, where he teaches and researches in health psychology. Here he tells us why cyclists should watch their caffeine intake

Retro Teams espresso cup

Despite exuberant claims about caffeinated energy drinks and gels, controlled trials show that even under ideal conditions caffeine enhances physical performance by only about one to three per cent.

Admittedly, a boost of that magnitude for a finely tuned elite athlete could mean the difference between winning and losing a race.

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Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.