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Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition

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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Research article

Caffeine supplementation is ergogenic in soccer players independent of cardiorespiratory or neuromuscular fitness levels

Authors: Andreas Apostolidis, Vassilis Mougios, Ilias Smilios, Maria Frangous, Marios Hadjicharalambous

Published in: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Equivocal findings examining the influence of caffeine on performance and biological responses to exercise may be due to inter-individual variability in cardiorespiratory or neuromuscular fitness. This study examined whether the effects of caffeine ingestion on exercise performance and biological responses to prolonged intermittent exercise to exhaustion depend on cardiorespiratory or neuromuscular fitness.

Methods

Twenty male soccer players, separated according to either cardiorespiratory fitness (high vs medium) or neuromuscular fitness (high vs medium) underwent two trials simulating the cardiovascular demands of a soccer game to exhaustion on treadmill after ingesting either caffeine (6 mg∙kg^− 1) or placebo. Physical performance, cardiorespiratory and metabolic parameters and blood metabolites were evaluated.

Results

Time to exhaustion (719 ± 288 vs 469 ± 228 s), jump height (42.7 ± 4.2 vs 38.6 ± 4.4 cm), heart rate (163 ± 12 vs 157 ± 13 b∙min^− 1), mean arterial blood pressure (98 ± 8 vs 92 ± 10 mmHg), plasma glucose (5.6 ± 0.7 vs 5.3 ± 0.6 mmol∙l^− 1) and lactate (3.3 ± 1.2 vs 2.9 ± 1.2 mmol∙l^− 1) were higher, while rating of perceived exertion (12.6 ± 1.7 vs 13.3 ± 1.6) was lower with caffeine vs placebo (p < 0.01), independent of cardiorespiratory or neuromuscular fitness level. Reaction time; plasma glycerol, non-esterified fatty acids and epinephrine; carbohydrate and fat oxidation rates; and energy expenditure were not affected by caffeine (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Caffeine was effective in improving endurance and neuromuscular performance in athletes with either high or medium cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular fitness. Cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular fitness do not appear to modulate the ergogenic effects of caffeine supplementation in well-trained athletes.

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Title: Caffeine supplementation is ergogenic in soccer players independent of cardiorespiratory or neuromuscular fitness levels
Authors: Andreas Apostolidis
Vassilis Mougios
Ilias Smilios
Maria Frangous
Marios Hadjicharalambous
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1550-2783
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-020-00360-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Caffeine supplementation is ergogenic in soccer players independent of cardiorespiratory or neuromuscular fitness levels

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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