When to use this
A racer brings up caffeine before a meet and the conversation needs structure before anyone opens a can or a gel.
- An athlete is already using coffee or caffeinated gels haphazardly on race mornings.
- A parent asks whether caffeine is appropriate for their runner. The performance research is adult-derived, so for under-18 athletes the default is skip, and any use is a family, physician, and sports dietitian decision.
- A race plan review shows caffeine layered on top of a skipped breakfast.
Advanced lab
The caffeine decision path, in words not milligrams
What gates here is decision logic only. Caffeine research is adult-derived, and for under-18 athletes the default is no caffeine plan at all.
No amounts appear on this sheet on purpose. The research is adult-derived, the under-18 default is to skip caffeine strategies entirely, and any use is a family, physician, and sports dietitian decision.
Evidence sources
These references support the handout’s general education. Individual medical, supplement, laboratory, or injury questions should be handled by the appropriate qualified clinician.
- Guest NS, VanDusseldorp TA, Nelson MT, et al.(2021) ISSN position stand: Caffeine and exercise performance.
- Maughan RJ, Burke LM, Dvorak J, et al.(2018) IOC consensus statement: Dietary supplements and the high-performance athlete.
Where to go next
