Coffee and Physical Performance: What Is Driven by Caffeine and What Is Not

Coffee is widely consumed by physically active individuals and athletes, often with the intention of enhancing alertness, reducing fatigue and supporting exercise performance. Its performance-related effects are primarily attributed to caffeine; however, responses to coffee consumption vary substantially across individuals and type of training. This narrative review examines current evidence on the role of coffee consumption in sport, with particular emphasis on caffeine-related mechanisms, physical performance, fatigue, muscle pain and recovery, as well as factors modifying individual responses, including circadian rhythm, habitual intake and genetic variability. Available evidence indicates that coffee consumption prior to physical activity may support endurance performance, reduce perceived exertion and attenuate muscle pain, particularly during prolonged or demanding exercise and under conditions of sleep restriction or circadian misalignment. In contrast, effects on muscle strength and power performance appear less consistent and more context dependent. Interindividual differences in caffeine metabolism, sensitivity to stimulation and susceptibility to sleep disruption further influence both the effectiveness and tolerability of coffee intake. Emerging findings also suggest that coffee, when consumed in combination with carbohydrates, may enhance post-exercise muscle glycogen resynthesis, a potential benefit of particular relevance for endurance athletes facing limited recovery time. At the same time, evidence regarding non-caffeine bioactive compounds present in coffee remains limited and largely indirect, indicating a modulatory rather than ergogenic role. Overall, coffee should not be regarded as a universally effective ergogenic aid, as its effects may vary according to individual characteristics, training demands and the timing of consumption. Its effective use requires careful consideration of individual characteristics, training demands and timing of consumption, underscoring the importance of personalized strategies in both performance and recovery settings.