Scientists published research today showing that caffeine not only boosts alertness but improves physical performance, reopening the debate about its use by sportsmen and women.Researchers at the University of Birmingham found the stimulant increased the rate at which energy was taken up by the body by 26%. This provided an energy boost that scientists believe would be of particular benefit in endurance sports such as cycling and long-distance running.Caffeine, which constitutes a major ingredient in coffee and cola, was removed from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list of banned substances in January 2004, but controversy still surrounds its use.Researchers at the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences in Birmingham tested the performance of road cyclists over three, two-hour exercise sessions in which they drank different sports drinks, one containing glucose, one containing glucose and caffeine, and one plain water.
