Our Lady of Fatima University
Antipolo Campus
A.Y. 2021-2022
EXPLORING CAFFEINE INTAKE AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE ENHANCEMENT OF
PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS AND MENTAL PERFORMANCE AMONG SHS STUDENTS
A Research Paper
Presented to
Our Lady of Fatima University
Antipolo Campus
In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for
Practical Research 1
Amigos, Joseph Clarence E.
Cruz, Kyle Christian A.
Gadian, Athrun Josh A.
Guimalan, Mark Christian G.
Manangan, Mary Grace D.C.
Margallo, Irish P.
Meneses, Louise C.
Mingoy, Kirsten Chloe M.
Miranda, Xylle Angelyn
Obogne, Lynn Clarisse C.
Our Lady of Fatima University
Antipolo Campus
A.Y. 2021-2022
CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction
The effects of caffeine use on high school students' (SHS) physiological processes and mental
performance have drawn more attention in recent years. Caffeine is a stimulant that is commonly
consumed. Given that these students are navigating a challenging academic situation, it has significance
to investigate the possible benefits of caffeine, a psychoactive stimulant that is widely taken in, for
improving cognitive and physiological processes. This study seeks to look into the complex connection
between the consumption of caffeine and how it affects the physiological and cognitive aspects of high
school pupils, potentially providing information about the effects on students' academic performance and
general well-being. The purpose of this study is to investigate the complex relationship between caffeine
consumption and its effects on SHS students' physiological and mental health. Making informed choices
about caffeine usage requires an understanding of how it affects factors including heart rate, blood
pressure, attention, and memory in this population. Through a review of the literature and study results,
this study aims to provide more detailed information about the possible advantages and disadvantages of
caffeine consumption among high school students. It also seeks to give educators, parents, and regulators
useful knowledge to support teens negotiating the difficulties of high school life and encourage
responsible caffeine consumption. This study aims to advance the conversation on student health and
performance enhancement tactics in learning environments by providing a thorough investigation of
caffeine consumption and its impacts. In conclusion, this study aims to promote a healthier and more
informed attitude to caffeine usage among SHS students by clarifying the complex connections between
caffeine and physiological and cognitive functioning.
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A.Y. 2021-2022
Background of the Study
This study aims to determine whether the consumption of caffeine affects psychological processes
and health conditions among SHS students. A lot of us depend on our late afternoon caffeine dose or our
morning cup of coffee to get through the day. The most popular beverage that individuals use as a
stimulant to improve consciousness or alertness in their bodies, emotions, and even cognitive functions is
caffeine. According to Healthline (2019), The most consumed psychoactive substance worldwide is
caffeine, which can be found in a wide range of foods and beverages such as tea, carbonated drinks,
chocolate, and prescription drugs such as decongestants, analgesics, appetite suppressants, and diuretics,
most of which are available without a prescription and unsupervised. Although it can cause habits,
caffeine is usually regarded as safe to use. We probably don't consider it to be a drug because it's really
the most widely used psychoactive substance in the world. However, any tolerance that could exist would
probably rely on the biological or behavioral effects of caffeine as well as the quantity and frequency of
caffeine intake. The U.S. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that caffeine is safe and
beneficial, but those who already have health issues may have more negative side effects from it,
according to four medical professionals and nutritionists as they evaluate the evidence. In addition, even
when there is "strong and consistent" data that suggests moderate coffee drinking is safe, this does not
imply that coffee consumption is beneficial to health. Worldwide, the usage of caffeine is rising. The main
forces behind this are the increase in physical performance as well as improved focus and memory.
Caffeine-containing goods, including coffee, have an impact on the cardiovascular system, which
primarily impacts physiological processes in humans, particularly teenagers who frequently drink soft
drinks and coffee has also the possibility to experience variety of side effects such as nervousness,
anxiety, gastrointestinal upset, excess stomach acid or heartburn, nausea, insomnia, and irregular
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A.Y. 2021-2022
heartbeat. Thus, more study is needed to investigate any potential effects. Following that, steps should be
taken to educate these students about their own safety precautions for enhancing alertness
and energy when using caffeine in moderation.
Statement of the Problem
General Problem
This study aims to determine the effects of Caffeine Intake in Physiological Functions and
Mental Performance in Senior High School Students.
Specific Problem
1. What is the demographic profile of the students?
2. How frequently do the students take caffeinated food or drinks?
3. How does caffeine intake improve the mental performance of the students in terms of:
A. Concentration
B. Memorization
C. Emotional Control
D. Mental Imagery
4. Does caffeine intake affect the psychological functioning of the students?
5. Is there a significant relationship between caffeine and the level of cognitive performance and
physiological functions of the students?
Hypothesis
"Higher caffeine intake among senior high school students is positively associated with enhanced
physiological functions and improved cognitive performance."
Our Lady of Fatima University
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A.Y. 2021-2022
H0: The statement proposed that there is no significant relationship between the amount of caffeine
consumed by senior high school students and the enhancement of both physiological functions and
cognitive performance.
Ha: The present statement proposed that there is a positive relationship between the amount of caffeine
consumed by senior high school students and the enhancement of both physiological functions and
cognitive performance.
Conceptual Framework
Figure 1.
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Figure 1 shows the conceptual model of the study on the effects of the caffeine intake on the
enhancements of physiological and mental performance among SHS students.
The first frame shows the input of the study, which includes the profiles of the students and its
influences on consumption and awareness of caffeine effects on their physiological functions and mental
processes.
The second frame presents the process of the study that involves assessments of a variety of research
on caffeine consumption in order to execute effectively which includes the participant recruitment, data
collection, analysis, and potential future study outcomes. All of the information will be analyzed
statistically, and the results will then be presented.
The third frame presents the output of the study, this includes the findings and the overall data
gathered of the research study which involves health-related information such as the effects of caffeine to
the students cognitive processes.
The arrow from the input to the process and to the output shows the connection and transformation
of the collected data with the actions taken into results that are considered output. The arrow from input to
output represents the feedback, which reflects the continuity of the flow and the interconnectedness of the
elements.
Theoretical Framework
Cognitive theories of psychology bring light to how caffeine affects some of the major cognitive
mechanisms. These theories state that caffeine (being a central nervous system stimulant) increases
attention by blocking the adenosine receptors, which normally help in inducing drowsiness. Moreover,
research that has been conducted seems to demonstrate that caffeine can, at least, positively modify
memory retention with some theories indicating a linkage between
Our Lady of Fatima University
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A.Y. 2021-2022
caffeine intake and better memory consolidation for the long term. It is purported that a big part of
cognitive talent called reaction time, is also qualitatively increased by caffeine's ability to act as a
modulator for neurotransmitters like dopamine, resulting in quicker neural processing. By relating
cognitive psychology theories to our study, we can dive into the intricate ways through which caffeine
works in order to boost attention, process memory, and enhance reaction time
among SHS students.
This study is supported by Sydney Wingfield (2021), the caffeine consumption, address in the
study of Effects of Caffeine Consumption on Cognitive Performance in Anatomy and Physiology
Students - according to the study caffeine not only affects memory but can specifically affect the different
stages of memory processing which are dependent on the characteristics of the task in which memory is
involved (Angelucci et al., 1999). Studies have also found that those who believed caffeine had a positive
effect on memory performance and consumed it performed comparably to those who did not believe it
had a positive effect on memory performance and consumed caffeine, especially when compared to those
who performed the same task with the caffeine-free placebo (Sherman et al., 2016). While caffeine had
some positive effects on short-term memory, it did not improve long-term memory (Institute of Medicine
(US) Committee on Military Nutrition Research, 2001). In studies conducted using the
Compound-Remote Association (CRA) task, a standard measure of problem solving, Silvia et al. (2019)
found that participants who consumed 200 mg of caffeine (equivalent to almost a 12-oz cup of coffee)
experienced significant improvement in convergent problem-solving ability, but no noticeable effects on
participants' working memory or divergent thinking compared to participants who consumed the
caffeine-containing.
Our Lady of Fatima University
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Scope and Limitations
Scope of the study
The scope of this study encompasses an in-depth exploration of the relationship between
caffeine intake and its effects on the physiological functions and mental performance of senior high
school (SHS) students. The research aims to investigate the potential impact of caffeine consumption on
various aspects of students' physiological well-being, including but not limited to heart rate, blood
pressure, and metabolism. Additionally, the study seeks to examine the potential influence of caffeine on
cognitive functions, such as attention, alertness, and information processing, among SHS students. The
research will likely employ a mixed methods approach, incorporating surveys, physiological
measurements, and cognitive assessments to comprehensively investigate the effects of caffeine intake on
SHS students.
Limitation of the study
The study on "Exploring Caffeine Intake and its Effects on the Enhancement of Physiological
Functions and Mental Performance among SHS Students" faces certain limitations that warrant
consideration. Firstly, the generalizability of the findings may be restricted by the specific demographic,
cultural, and environmental context of the SHS students involved, potentially limiting the applicability of
the results to broader populations. Additionally, reliance on self-reported data regarding caffeine intake
may introduce potential biases, such as recall bias and inaccuracies in reporting. Moreover, the study may
encounter challenges in isolating the effects of caffeine intake due to external variables like diet, sleep
patterns, and individual differences in caffeine metabolism. Ethical considerations surrounding informed
consent, privacy, and the well-being of participants are paramount, especially given the potential health
implications of caffeine consumption. Furthermore, the study's duration may limit the assessment of
Our Lady of Fatima University
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A.Y. 2021-2022
long-term effects of caffeine intake on SHS students, necessitating cautious interpretation of the results.
Lastly, practical constraints, including resource availability in terms of time, funding, and access to
specialized equipment for physiological measurements, may influence the depth and breadth of the study.
Acknowledging and addressing these limitations is crucial to ensure the validity and relevance of the
study's outcomes within its defined scope.
Significance of the Study
This study aims to identify the effects of caffeine intake on the physiological functions and mental
performance of Our Lady of Fatima University - Antipolo SHS Students.
Readers. This study will provide additional information about the caffeine intake on SHS
students.
Students. This study will serve as a reference for them on how caffeine intake can affect their
physiological functions and mental performance.
Future Researchers. This research will serve as a reference for future researchers and will
provide them with insights about their future studies that involve caffeine intake.
Definition of Terms
These are the operational definitions utilized in the research. The following terms are defined to
clarify technical definitions:
Caffeine Intakes. The amount of caffeine a person consumes, typically measured in milligrams,
often derived from tea, coffee, and energy drinks.
Insomnia. Difficulty falling or remaining asleep, leading to inadequate or poor sleep.
Our Lady of Fatima University
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A.Y. 2021-2022
Irregular Heartbeat. Describes a cardiac beat that may be too fast, too slow, or irregular
disrupting the normal operation of the heart.
Mental Performance. Cognitive capacities and functions, such as attention, memory, and
problem-solving skills.
Nausea. An uncomfortable, uneasy feeling in the stomach that frequently results in the desire to
throw up.
Physiological Function. The study of inherent systems in the body, including blood pressure,
metabolism, and heart rate.
