Regular Physical Activity Increases the Systolic Blood Pressure Response to Acute Caffeine Ingestion in Nonhabitual Caffeine Consumers

Abstract

Background: Physical activity and caffeine consumption induce adaptations to the cardiovascular system, which can change basal and postcaffeine blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) parameters. We hypothesized that physical activity would attenuate the pressor effects of acute caffeine ingestion regardless of caffeine consumption level. Methods: We evaluated the influence of regular physical activity and chronic caffeine consumption on basal and post-caffeine ingestion BP and HR. Sixty subjects (19–50 years old) participated in an interventional study. To evaluate the influence of regular physical activity and caffeine consumption, the participants were divided into four groups: sedentary nonhabitual caffeine consumers (S), sedentary habitual heavy caffeine consumers (SC), physically active nonhabitual caffeine consumers (A), and physically active habitual heavy caffeine consumers (AC). All groups had BP and HR assessed before (basal) and one hour after (post) caffeine ingestion (6 mg.kg−1 of body mass). Results: We found that group A had an increased systolic blood pressure (SBP) from 119.2 ± 11.3 to 124.2 ± 14.3 mmHg after acute caffeine ingestion. Lack of regular physical activity was associated with a significant increase in diastolic BP after caffeine ingestion (group S; 69.1 ± 7.7 vs. 73.8 ± 8.3 and group SC; 71.6 ± 9.5 vs. 75.3 ± 8.4). Group AC showed lower basal DBP than group SC (64.61 ± 8.1 and 71.5 ± 7.8 mmHg, respectively). Conclusion: Acute caffeine ingestion increases the SBP in physically active nonhabitual caffeine consumers.