Coffee and Combat Sports Training

Many people start their day with a cup of coffee as the means to wake us up and help us get into high gear right away. The question often arises whether coffee can be a good pre-workout stimulant for combat sports, since it has such a positive impact on us during both physical and mental work?

Coffee - Properties

Coffee contains many substances and elements that positively affect our health. It is a source of antioxidants, and thanks to theophylline and theobromine, it reduces the risk of developing Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Meanwhile, the caffeine contained in coffee is precisely the stimulant that literally all drinkers of this beverage love (leaving aside controversial questions about taste or preparation methods, where there is no full agreement).

It stimulates the central nervous system, improves reaction time, and affects adrenal gland function, which increases adrenaline production, causing more blood to reach the brain and muscles. Additionally, it suppresses feelings of fatigue and drowsiness. It has a positive effect on concentration and even supports memory.

Coffee as a Pre-Workout

The benefits of drinking coffee make it a good pre-workout stimulant. According to various sources, it is recommended to drink the beverage about 30-60 minutes before training to feel its positive effects. This will lead to an increase in endurance during tough training sessions. It will speed up metabolism, thereby helping, for example, in reducing excess weight and body fat.

However, it is worth noting that drinking coffee daily can habituate the body to caffeine and build tolerance, which means you will either need to increase the amount consumed or the effects will be proportionally smaller. What's more, while black coffee has a beneficial health impact, one should be careful with coffee-like beverages due to their sugar content. Of course, coffee with milk or cream is fine to drink ;)

About the Author:

Tomasz Kosiński – PhD in humanities, combat sports enthusiast, BJJ purple belt.