Caffeine may help you meet your exercise goals
March 28, 2012
Mothers balancing the demands of college and raising a family often struggle with finding time to do things for themselves, like exercising.
However, studies suggest that drinking coffee may not only be useful for helping you get through those late night study sessions - it can also help you get the most out of your fitness routine.
Researchers from Coventry University in England tested how consuming caffeinated beverages before a workout affected performance.
They found that those who drank a caffeine-laden energy drink before working out were able to exercise for a longer period of time and felt more positive about the session afterwards.
"Essentially, we found that with the caffeinated drink, the person felt more able to invest effort," Michael Duncan, the study's lead author, told the New York Times. "They would put more work into the training session, and when the session was finished, in the presence of the caffeinated drink, they were more psychologically ready to go again."
Researcher and exercise physiologist Dr. Tina Skinner also recently studied the effects of caffeine on athletic performance.
MedicalXPress.com reports that her team found that the time in which caffeine enters the body, not the amount of caffeine in the bloodstream, is the key to enhancing athletic performance.
It does not seem to matter how much caffeine enters your bloodstream, as long as it is consumed within one hour prior to starting exercise," she told the website. "We found that when caffeine is consumed following a high-carbohydrate meal the amount of caffeine that enters the bloodstream is delayed and concentrations reduced compared to when caffeine is consumed in a fasting state."
Moms looking for some help in getting the most out of their exercise routine may consider drinking coffee, tea or another caffeinated beverage beforehand. According to the Omaha World-Herald, individuals who want to give their workout a boost by ingesting caffeine should do so about an hour before exercising for the best results.
They may also choose to reach for a "cup of Joe" or two to help them stay alert and focused on school tasks such as reading, writing papers and studying.
Luckily, they don't have to rely on a mild stimulant to help them pay for their education. Moms looking for a way to make college more affordable can apply for various grants for parents, scholarships for mothers, single mother scholarships and other financial aid to help them achieve their dream of becoming a college graduate.
