Caffeine for the Sustainment of Mental Task Performance Formulations for Military Operations (2001) / Chapter Skim
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7 Response to Military Questions, Conclusions, and Recommendations
7 Response to Military Questions, Conclusions, and Recommendations
Pages 79-96
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From page 79... ...
Caffeine use has been associated with enhanced physical performance and increased alertness, and as a countermeasure to the effects of sleep deprivation. Extensive research has been done on each of these caffeine effects.
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From page 80... ...
Thus, beneficial effects on cognitive behavior may represent remediation of deteriorated performance during caffeine withdrawal back to baseline performance in the presence of caffeine rather than a net enhancement of performance. A number of studies have demonstrated that caffeine enhances cognitive performance independent of its ability to reverse symptoms of withdrawal (see Chapter 3~.
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From page 81... ...
In sleep-deprived subjects, judicious use of caffeine can restore alertness, performance on mental tasks, and positive mood states. Caffeine reversed the sleep deprivation-induced increased response time, and increased alertness and performance on a visual vigilance task, mental arithmetic tests, and logical reasoning in sleep-deprived subjects.
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From page 82... ...
They also concluded, however, that high caffeine intake may be an additional risk factor for hypertension at the individual level due to long-lasting stress or to a genetic susceptibility to hypertension. Caffeine consumption has also been demonstrated to potentiate the effects of acute exercise and mental stress in increasing blood pressure.
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From page 83... ...
More recent reviews of human studies suggest that some of the initial reported associations between caffeine and reduced fertility, teratogenicity, and other fetal and maternal effects in humans may be explained by confounders such as associated cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, reporting inaccuracies, and other methodological errors. A recent well-controlled study of 487 women with spontaneous abortions and 2,087 normal controls, in which caffeine exposure was quantitated objectively by serum paraxanthine levels, showed that the mean serum paraxanthine concentration was significantly higher in women who had spontaneous abortions than in controls (752 versus 583 ng/mL)
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From page 84... ...
Fluid Homeostasis Consumption of 2,500 mL of a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution containing approximately 1 mg of caffeine per kg body weight increased 3-hour urine output by over 400 mL as compared to the same amount of solution without caffeine (Wemple et al., 1997~. While this level of caffeine was too low to produce a positive effect on cycling performance, the fact that urine volume was affected could be of significance in military situations where considerably higher caffeine doses may be used.
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From page 85... ...
. Conclusions The acute presser effects of caffeine are well documented, but at present there is no clear epidemiological evidence that caffeine consumption is causally related to hypertension.
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From page 86... ...
In spite of numerous studies attempting to show a relationship between caffeine and cardiovascular health, results have failed to show a consistent adverse effect of ingestion of moderate amounts of caffeine. Increased risk of coronary heart disease resulting from the use of caffeine supplements by the military would not appear to be of major concern.
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From page 87... ...
The levels of caffeine that have consistently enhanced endurance performance, as discussed in Chapter 3, range from about 150 to 600 ma. Numerous studies of the effects of different caffeine dosages on various aspects of cognitive performance have been conducted in both civilian and military situations.
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From page 88... ...
However, educational and training information is needed for military personnel prior to the use of such a product. Recommendations A caffeine delivery vehicle that provides caffeine in 100-mg increments with a total content not exceeding approximately 600 mg would appear to be the most appropriate dose for use in sustained military operations.
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From page 89... ...
There is a dose effect for the restorative effects of sleep duration on cognitive performance (Bonnet, 1999; Bonnet and Arand, 1994a,b; Bonnet et al., 1995; Dinges et al., 1987~. Any amount of sleep from as little as a 15-minute nap can restore some degree of function, although the longer the sleep episode, the greater the amount of cognitive function restored (Bonnet et al., 1995~.
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From page 90... ...
With appropriate supervision and control, the use of amphetamine has benefited individuals with unique skills whose performance was critical to the safety of personnel and complex military hardware. In contrast to caffeine in food, beverages, chewing gum, and pill or tablet form, there is little experience with amphetamine pill self-dosing for most military personnel, and the hazards and adverse effects of self-dosing might therefore be expected to be greater.
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From page 91... ...
. The use of amphetamine is superior to caffeine in offsetting decrements in cognitive performance; however, the risks outweigh the benefits for most situations.
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From page 92... ...
The DOD should continue to research the drug modafinil to further explore its potential for sustaining cognitive performance during military operations. Research published to date indicates that it may prove far superior to caffeine in maintaining cognitive performance over extended periods of sleep deprivation, without the adverse side effects and abuse potential of amphetamines.
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From page 93... ...
Caffeine in a food matrix may be advantageous when it is important to deliver nutrients, fluid, or other food constituents simultaneously, but the satiating effects of the food may somewhat limit consumption, especially if high intakes are required to obtain a sufficient dose. Chewing gums are more appropriate if rapid absorption and action are needed, and would facilitate tailoring of individual doses.
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From page 94... ...
; also contains complex carbohydrate, fat, and protein Yes sucrose and corn syrup are sim- 50 g ple sugars that may enhance the positive effects of caffeine on certain aspects of physical performance (depending on the type of exercise being performed) ; also contains complex carbohydrate, fat, and protein Caffeinated Caffeine content Yes Sucrose and corn syrup are pre- 12 fluid oz soft drinks varies from 5 to sent in regular brands, aspartame in (36 g)
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From page 95... ...
Slower Low Bioavailability uncertain; good vehi cle for providing other nutrients or food constituents such as sugars; satiating effects possible if caffeine content low; more bulky than chewing gum or pills Rapid (< 60 Rapid Low min) Most rapid Most rapid Low Provide fluid; good vehicle for sugars if these prove useful; more bulky than chewing gum or pills; a dehydrated beverage powder requires water and time to mix Absorbed sublingually and rapidly; low bulk; no or little satiating effects likely Rapid Rapid Low Bioavailability somewhat lower than from caffeinated drinks; no satiat ing effects likely Initial dose Initially rapid fol- Low Permits longer intervals between rapid, sus- lowed by slower doses but less flexibility during tained re- absorption suddenly altered operational situa lease lions
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From page 96... ...
Under certain circumstances such as heat stress or desert operations, chewing gums may offer practical operational advantages over a food/energy bar, but under other conditions, such as reconnaissance operations from a central point, the bar may be preferable. Thus, more than one delivery vehicle should be considered, provided complete data on absorption and rapidity of action are available.
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