Low doses of caffeine: Enhancement of physical performance in elite adolescent male soccer players

Matthew Ellis, Mark Noon, Tony Myers, Neil Clarke

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    26 Citations (Scopus)
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    Abstract

    Context: High doses of ∼6 mg·kg-1 body mass have improved performance during intermittent running, jumping, and agility protocols. However, there are sparse data on low doses of caffeine, especially in elite adolescent soccer players. Methods: A total of 15 elite youth soccer players (177.3 [4.8] cm, 66.9 [7.9] kg, and 16 [1] y) participated in the study, consuming 1, 2, or 3 mg·kg-1 caffeine in a gelatin capsule or a 2-mg·kg-1 placebo in a single-blind, randomized, crossover study design. Testing consisted of a 20-m sprint, arrowhead agility (change of direction [CoD] right or left), countermovement jump (CMJ), and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1). Postexercise CMJ performance was assessed as participants exited the Yo-Yo IR1. Data were analyzed using a Bayesian multilevel regression model to provide explained variance and probabilities of improvement (P = %). Results: Compared with placebo, 3 mg·kg-1 caffeine presented the highest probabilities of change across a range of tests (mean [SD], P = %). Times for 20-m sprint were 3.15 (0.10) s vs 3.18 (0.09) s (P = 73%), CoD-right times were 8.43 (0.24) s vs 8.55 (0.25) s (P = 99%), CoD-left times were 8.44 (0.22) s vs 8.52 (0.18) s (P = 85%), Yo-Yo IR1 distance was 2440 (531) m vs 2308 (540) m (P = 15%), and preexercise CMJ height was 41.6 (7.2) cm vs 38 (8.5) cm (P = 96%). Postexercise CMJ was higher with 3 mg·kg-1 than with placebo (42.3 [8] cm vs 36.6 [8] cm; P = 100%). Doses of 1 or 2 mg·kg-1 caffeine also demonstrated the ability to enhance performance but were task dependent. Conclusion: Low doses of caffeine improve performance but are dose and task dependent. A dose of 3 mg·kg-1 caffeine improved performance across the majority of tests with potential to further improve postexercise CMJ height.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)569–575
    Number of pages7
    JournalInternational Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
    Volume14
    Issue number5
    Early online date3 Dec 2018
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - May 2019

    Bibliographical note

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    This document is the author’s post-print version, incorporating any revisions agreed during the peer-review process. The deposit is as accepted for publication. Some differences between the published version and this version may remain and you are advised to consult the published version if you wish to cite from it.

    Keywords

    • Agility
    • Bayesian
    • Ergogenic aid
    • Jump
    • Youth

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
    • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

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