Caffeine Masterclass with Dr. Lawrence Spriet: Physiology, Benefits, and Practical Strategies for Improving Performance

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This conversation is a masterclass on the science of caffeine and how to use it to enhance athletic performance. My guest today is Dr. Lawrence Spriet, one of Canada’s leading exercise physiologists. He’s a professor and chair of the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Guelph, and his research has shaped much of what we know today about skeletal muscle metabolism, fuel utilization, and the ergogenic effects of caffeine and other performance-enhancing compounds. He’s chair of the Canadian Gatorade Sports Science Institute, where he’s been deeply involved in applied field research. And, in true scientist-athlete fashion, he’s a committed caffeine user and avid hockey player himself.

We Discuss:

• Sweat testing elite hockey players
• Carbohydrates are the best performance enhancer 
• How caffeine alters the CNS 
• Individual differences in caffeine metabolism 
• Caffeine dependence and “caffeine breaks”
• Risks of high daily intakes 
• Caffeine’s effect on fat metabolism 
• The optimal dose of caffeine 
• Differences between forms of caffeine 
• If the extra ingredients in pre-workout and energy drinks are worth the money 
• Safe sources of caffeine for drug tested athletes 

Episode Show Notes 

• Connect with Dr. Spriet on LinkedIn | 
• Book: Caffeine for Sports Performance 
• GSSI Article: Caffeine and Exercise Performance

Connect with me: @casswarbeck  

Audio editing and processing by Wyatt Pavlik

Theme music by Ievgen Poltavskyi from Pixabay

*Please appreciate that any information discussed is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the opinion of a physician or qualified healthcare provider.*