Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2005; 26(9): 714-718
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-837437
Physiology & Biochemistry

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Distribution of Caffeine Levels in Urine in Different Sports in Relation to Doping Control

W. Van Thuyne1 , K. Roels1 , F. T. Delbeke1
  • 1Doping Control Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University, Zwijnaarde, Belgium
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: November 1, 2004

Publication Date:
15 March 2005 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Caffeine concentrations were measured in the urines of 11 361 athletes tested for doping control in the Ghent doping control laboratory during the period 1993 - 2002. Determination of these concentrations was done using an alkaline extraction with a mixture of dichloromethane and methanol (9 : 1; v/v) followed by high performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV). The method was validated according to ISO 17 025 standards (International Organisation for Standardisation). Quantification was done by using a calibration curve in the range from 0 to 20 µg/ml. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.10 µg/ml. Most caffeine concentrations were far below 12 µg/ml. Because the results were not normally distributed, transformation of the data was done to evaluate the difference in detected concentrations in several sports. This resulted in an overall average concentration of 1.22 µg/ml ± 2.45 µg/ml. Comparison of those sports with more than 200 samples being analysed demonstrated that caffeine concentrations in urine samples from bodybuilders are significantly higher in comparison to urines taken in the other sports. Also, a significant difference between caffeine concentrations found in cycling and concentrations found in other sports, including athletics and some ball sports, was observed.

Key words

Sport - bodybuilding - cycling - doping analysis

References

  • 1 Astrup A, Breum L, Toubro S, Hein P, Quaade F. The effect and safety of an ephedrine/caffeine compound compared to ephedrine, caffeine and placebo in obese subjects on an energy restricted diet. A double blind trial.  Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1992;  16 269-277
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Canadian Centre for Drug-Free Sport (Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport) .National School Survey on Drugs and Sport. Ottawa; Government of Canada 1993: 1-77
    Google Scholar
  • 3 Conway K J, Orr R, Stannard S R. Effect of a divided caffeine dose on endurance cycling performance, postexercise urinary caffeine concentrations and plasma paraxanthine.  J Appl Physiol. 2003;  94 1557-1562
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Daly P A, Krieger D R, Dulloo A G, Young J B, Landsberg L. Ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin: safety and efficacy for treatment of human obesity.  Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1993;  17 S73-S78
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Davies A M. Survey of caffeine and other methylxanthines in energy drinks and other caffeine-containing products.  Food surveillance. 1997;  103 1-18
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Delbeke F T, De Backer P. Threshold level for theophylline in doping analysis.  J Chrom B. 1996;  687 247-252
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Graham T E. Caffeine and coffee: A useful supplement.  News on sport nutrition: Insider. 1998;  6 1-7
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Graham T E. Caffeine and exercise: Metabolism, endurance and performance.  Sports Med. 2001;  31 785-807
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Graham T E, Hibbert E, Sathasivam P. Metabolic and exercise endurance effects of coffee and caffeine ingestion.  J Appl Physiol. 1998;  85 883-889
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Graham T E, Rush J WE, Van Soeren M H. Caffeine and exercise: Metabolism and performance.  Can J Appl Physiol. 1994;  19 111-138
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Graham T E, Spriet L L. Metabolic, catecholamine, and exercise responses to various doses of caffeine.  J Appl Physiol. 1995;  78 867-874
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Greer F, Friars D, Graham T E. Comparison of caffeine and theophylline ingestion: exercise metabolism and endurance.  J Appl Physiol. 2000;  89 1837-1844
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Heitzman R J. In: Veterinary Drug Residues Report EUR 15127-EN. Residues in Food Producing Animals and Their Products: Reference Materials and Methods. Luxembourg; Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 1994: 5-7
    Google Scholar
  • 14 International Olympic Committee .List of Prohibited Classes of Substances and Methods of Doping. Lausanne; International Olympic Committee, Medical Commission 2001
    Google Scholar
  • 15 Jacobs I, Pasternak H, Bell D G. Effects of ephedrine, caffeine, and their combination on muscular endurance.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003;  35 987-994
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Kovacs E MR, Stegen J HCH, Brouns F. Effect of caffeinated drinks on substrate metabolism, caffeine excretion, and performance.  J Appl Physiol. 1998;  85 709-715
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Nehlig A, Debry G. Caffeine and sports activity. A review.  Int J Sports Med. 1994;  15 215-223
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Perkins R, Williams M H. Effect of caffeine upon maximal muscular endurance of females.  Med Sci Sports. 1975;  7 221-224
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Sinclair C JD, Geiger J D. Caffeine use in sports: A pharmacological review.  J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2000;  40 71-79
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Tarnapolosky M A. Caffeine and endurance performance.  Sports Med. 1994;  18 109-125
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Verwaal W, van Bavel M, Boot A, Bravenboer J, de Goei F, Maas C, van de Putten A. Valideren van (fysisch-) chemische en (fysisch-) mechanische methoden op het niveau van de wettelijke eis.  De ware(n) Chemicus. 1996;  26 25
    PubMedGoogle Scholar

W. Van Thuyne

Doping Control Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ghent University

Technologiepark 30

9052 Zwijnaarde

Belgium

Phone: + 3293313295

Fax: + 32 93 31 32 99

Email: wim.vanthuyne@UGent.be

      >