Caffeine and its affects
...increases, pupils dilate and the muscles tighten ready for a fight or flight response. Although there is speculation about the possible effects of caffeine on child birth defects, raised blood pressure and heart disease, the benefits of this drug have not gone unnoticed. Extensive research has been conducted into its mental and physical uses and probably the most popular use for caffeine is to keep one alert during times of fatigue. Brenesova, Oswald, and Loudon (1975) found that 300mg of caffeine increased the time taken to fall asleep from 18 minutes to 66 minutes. This relief from fatigue has also been known to help drivers from falling asleep at the wheel. One study found that when participants were given 3mg of caffeine per kg of their body weight, steering accuracy in a one hour driving simulator task improved (Brice and Smith, 2001). This is perhaps due to a faster reaction time as many reports have noted this in caffeine-induced drivers (Nehlig et al., 1992). A supporting study also found that caffeine improves reaction time. Participants were instructed to take a caffeine-containing pill of varying doses every day for seven days. Following this period participants were asked to take part in tasks that tested mental ability including reaction time. The results illustrated that those who had taken higher caffeine-containing pills performed better at these tasks. (Lieberman et al., 1987). Findings from such research have led many people to take advantage of caffeine’s stimulating effects. Athletes, for example, have been known to consume this drug to enhance their physical performance. Researchers at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra (2003) found that aerobic endurance was increased by 30% in caffeine induced participants. Daley (1999) conducted a study on athletic performance to see if caffeine had any influence over sporting ability, particularly motor control and reaction time. Participants were deprived of caffeine for a period of thr...