Kyle Southward1, Kay J Rutherfurd-Markwick2,3, Ajmol Ali4,5. 1. School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, Massey University, North Shore Mail Centre, Private Bag 102 904, Auckland, 0745, New Zealand. 2. School of Health Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand. 3. Centre for Metabolic Health Research, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand. 4. School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, Massey University, North Shore Mail Centre, Private Bag 102 904, Auckland, 0745, New Zealand. a.ali@massey.ac.nz. 5. Centre for Metabolic Health Research, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand. a.ali@massey.ac.nz.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Caffeine is a widely used ergogenic aid with most research suggesting it confers the greatest effects during endurance activities. Despite the growing body of literature around the use of caffeine as an ergogenic aid, there are few recent meta-analyses that quantitatively assess the effect of caffeine on endurance exercise. OBJECTIVES: To summarise studies that have investigated the ergogenic effects of caffeine on endurance time-trial performance and to quantitatively analyse the results of these studies to gain a better understanding of the magnitude of the ergogenic effect of caffeine on endurance time-trial performance. METHODS: A systematic review was carried out on randomised placebo-controlled studies investigating the effects of caffeine on endurance performance and a meta-analysis was conducted to determine the ergogenic effect of caffeine on endurance time-trial performance. RESULTS: Forty-six studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Caffeine has a small but evident effect on endurance performance when taken in moderate doses (3-6 mg/kg) as well as an overall improvement following caffeine compared to placebo in mean power output (3.03 ± 3.07%; effect size = 0.23 ± 0.15) and time-trial completion time (2.22 ± 2.59%; effect size = 0.41 ± 0.2). However, differences in responses to caffeine ingestion have been shown, with two studies reporting slower time-trial performance, while five studies reported lower mean power output during the time-trial. CONCLUSION: Caffeine can be used effectively as an ergogenic aid when taken in moderate doses, such as during sports when a small increase in endurance performance can lead to significant differences in placements as athletes are often separated by small margins.
BACKGROUND:Caffeine is a widely used ergogenic aid with most research suggesting it confers the greatest effects during endurance activities. Despite the growing body of literature around the use of caffeine as an ergogenic aid, there are few recent meta-analyses that quantitatively assess the effect of caffeine on endurance exercise. OBJECTIVES: To summarise studies that have investigated the ergogenic effects of caffeine on endurance time-trial performance and to quantitatively analyse the results of these studies to gain a better understanding of the magnitude of the ergogenic effect of caffeine on endurance time-trial performance. METHODS: A systematic review was carried out on randomised placebo-controlled studies investigating the effects of caffeine on endurance performance and a meta-analysis was conducted to determine the ergogenic effect of caffeine on endurance time-trial performance. RESULTS: Forty-six studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Caffeine has a small but evident effect on endurance performance when taken in moderate doses (3-6 mg/kg) as well as an overall improvement following caffeine compared to placebo in mean power output (3.03 ± 3.07%; effect size = 0.23 ± 0.15) and time-trial completion time (2.22 ± 2.59%; effect size = 0.41 ± 0.2). However, differences in responses to caffeine ingestion have been shown, with two studies reporting slower time-trial performance, while five studies reported lower mean power output during the time-trial. CONCLUSION:Caffeine can be used effectively as an ergogenic aid when taken in moderate doses, such as during sports when a small increase in endurance performance can lead to significant differences in placements as athletes are often separated by small margins.
Authors: Nanci S Guest; Trisha A VanDusseldorp; Michael T Nelson; Jozo Grgic; Brad J Schoenfeld; Nathaniel D M Jenkins; Shawn M Arent; Jose Antonio; Jeffrey R Stout; Eric T Trexler; Abbie E Smith-Ryan; Erica R Goldstein; Douglas S Kalman; Bill I Campbell Journal: J Int Soc Sports Nutr Date: 2021-01-02 Impact factor: 5.150
Authors: Catherine Naulleau; David Jeker; Timothée Pancrate; Pascale Claveau; Thomas A Deshayes; Louise M Burke; Eric D B Goulet Journal: Sports Med Date: 2022-05-26 Impact factor: 11.928