Coffee does not significantly impact balance or physical function in older adults

A recent study published in Experimental Gerontology investigated whether consuming coffee affects balance and physical function in older adults. Drinking a strong cup of coffee had minimal effects on postural control and functional performance. While caffeinated coffee slightly influenced balance complexity and postural strategy, it did not lead to significant changes in stability or movement ability. These findings suggest that older adults can continue to enjoy coffee without concern that it will impair their ability to maintain balance or perform daily physical activities.

As people age, they experience a natural decline in muscle strength, coordination, and balance, increasing their risk of falling. Falls are a major health concern, leading to injuries, hospitalizations, and reduced independence. While caffeine is widely known to enhance physical performance by stimulating the nervous system, previous research has suggested that consuming caffeine in high doses may negatively affect postural stability, potentially increasing fall risk.

Most studies examining caffeine’s effects on balance have used caffeine in pill form, which does not account for the other compounds present in coffee. Coffee contains a complex mixture of over a thousand compounds, including polyphenols, lipids, and minerals, which could interact with caffeine and influence its effects on the body. Given that coffee is one of the most commonly consumed beverages among older adults, researchers wanted to determine whether coffee consumption affects balance differently than pure caffeine and whether it has any impact on physical function.

The study involved 22 healthy older adults (12 men and 10 women) with an average age of 68 years. Participants completed four separate testing sessions under different conditions: consuming caffeinated coffee, drinking decaffeinated coffee, taking a placebo beverage, or consuming no fluid at all. The caffeinated coffee contained a caffeine dose of 3 milligrams per kilogram of body weight—equivalent to a strong cup of coffee.

Participants underwent a series of balance tests to measure postural control. They stood on a force platform under different conditions, such as standing with eyes open or closed and standing on firm or soft surfaces. Researchers recorded movements of the body’s center of pressure, a key measure of balance stability. They also assessed physical function using standardized fitness tests, including chair stands, arm curls, a timed walking test, and a step test.

To ensure the results were not influenced by participants’ expectations, the researchers used a double-blind, randomized crossover design. This meant that neither the participants nor the researchers knew which beverage was being consumed during each session.

Overall, the study found that drinking coffee had little impact on balance performance or physical function. Participants who consumed caffeinated coffee did not show significant differences in their ability to maintain balance compared to those who drank decaffeinated coffee, the placebo, or had no fluid.

One notable finding was that caffeinated coffee slightly increased the frequency of small balance adjustments compared to decaffeinated coffee. This suggests that participants made more frequent but minor postural corrections when standing, potentially indicating a change in balance strategy. However, these changes did not translate into measurable improvements or impairments in overall stability.

Similarly, caffeinated coffee did not improve or hinder performance in any of the physical function tests. Participants performed just as well in chair stands, arm curls, and walking tests regardless of which beverage they consumed. This suggests that a single dose of coffee does not provide a short-term boost to physical performance in older adults.

While the study provides valuable insights, it has some limitations. The participants were relatively healthy and physically active, meaning the results may not apply to older adults with balance impairments or mobility issues. Future research should examine whether coffee affects balance differently in individuals with a higher risk of falls.

Additionally, the caffeine dose used in this study was moderate. It is possible that higher doses of caffeine could have stronger effects on balance and physical function. Further studies could explore whether larger amounts of caffeine or different types of coffee have different impacts on postural control.

Finally, while the researchers measured balance using precise force platform techniques, they did not test real-world scenarios, such as walking on uneven surfaces or responding to sudden movements. Future research could investigate how coffee affects balance and movement in dynamic environments.

The study, “The acute effects of coffee ingestion on postural control and physical function in older adults: A randomised crossover trial,” was authored by Darren L. Richardson, Matt Hill, Jason Tallis, Lucas Guimaraes Ferreira, and Neil D. Clarke.