Research
Energy balance
Caffeine enhances contractile force during submaximal contractions by potentiating calcium release from the ryanodine receptor, independent of habitual caffeine consumption.
If you consume caffeine before exercise, it may help your muscles produce more force during submaximal efforts by improving calcium release in muscle cells. This benefit applies regardless of whether you drink coffee regularly.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Together, these studies suggest that caffeine can enhance contractile force during submaximal contractions by potentiating calcium release from the ryanodine receptor, not by altering sarcoplasmic excitability. Furthermore, the potentiation of force during submaximal electrical stimulation is identical in habitual and nonhabitual caffeine consumers.
Why this rating
Supported by multiple human studies (Lopes, Mohr, Tarnopolsky) and isolated muscle preparations.
Source
Effect of caffeine on the neuromuscular system — potential as an ergogenic aid
Mark A. Tarnopolsky · Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism · 2008
DOI 10.1139/h08-121
narrative_reviewCited 182×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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