Caffeine, but not bicarbonate, improves 6 min maximal performance in elite rowers

2014 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
pp. 1058-1063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. Christensen ◽  
Mads H. Petersen ◽  
Signe N. Friis ◽  
Jens Bangsbo

This study examined the ergogenic effects in a 6 min maximal performance test (PT) on 12 elite rowers: 6 open-weight (mean ± SD; 25 ± 1 years, and 92 ± 3 kg) and 6 light-weight (25 ± 3 years, and 73 ± 6 kg), following supplementation with caffeine (CAF), sodium bicarbonate (SB), and the combination of both, in a double-blind randomized placebo (PLA) controlled design. PT was executed on 4 occasions, on separate days within a week, and in a non-fasted state, with standardized training being performed the day before PT. Protocols were as follows: (i) CAF, 3 mg/kg, 45 min prior to PT + calcium as SB-PLA; (ii) SB, 0.3 g/kg, 75 min prior to PT + dextrose as CAF-PLA; (iii) CAF + SB; and (iv) PLA; CAF-PLA + SB-PLA. The total distance in the CAF (1878 ± 97 m) and CAF + SB (1877 ± 97 m) was longer than in the PLA (1865 ± 104 m; P < 0.05) and SB (1860 ± 96 m; P < 0.01). The mean power in CAF (400 ± 58 W) and CAF + SB (400 ± 58 W) was higher than the PLA (393 ± 61 W; P < 0.05) and SB (389 ± 57 W; P < 0.01). In CAF and CAF + SB, power was higher (P < 0.05) relative to PLA in the last half (4–6 min) of PT. Trials with CAF were more effective in light-weight rowers (1.0% ± 0.8% improvement in distance; P < 0.05) than in open-weight rowers (0.3% ± 0.8%; P > 0.05). No difference between interventions was observed for readiness and stomach comfort before PT and perceived exertion during PT. This study demonstrates that caffeine ingestion does improve performance in elite rowing. In contrast sodium bicarbonate does not appear to be ergogenic, but it does not abolish the ergogenic effect of caffeine.

2007 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Giannini Artioli ◽  
Bruno Gualano ◽  
Desiré Ferreira Coelho ◽  
Fabiana Braga Benatti ◽  
Alessandra Whyte Gailey ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether pre exercise sodium-bicarbonate ingestion improves judo-related performance. The study used 2 different protocols to evaluate performance: 3 bouts of a specific judo test (n = 9) and 4 bouts of the Wingate test for upper limbs (n = 14). In both protocols athletes ingested 0.3 g/kg of sodium bicarbonate or placebo 2 h before the tests. Blood samples were collected to determine lactate level, and levels of perceived exertion were measured throughout the trials. The study used a double-blind, counterbalanced, crossover design. Ingestion of sodium bicarbonate improved performance in Bouts 2 and 3 of Protocol 1 (P < 0.05), mean power in Bouts 3 and 4 of Protocol 2 (P < 0.05), and peak power in Bout 4 of Protocol 2 (P < 0.05). Ingestion of bicarbonate increased lactate concentration in Protocol 1 (P < 0.05) but not in Protocol 2. Ratings of perceived exertion did not differ between treatments. In conclusion, sodium bicarbonate improves judo-related performance and increases blood lactate concentration but has no effect on perceived exertion.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Castillo ◽  
Raúl Domínguez ◽  
Alejandro Rodríguez-Fernández ◽  
Javier Raya-González

Despite the demonstrated evidence of the importance of eccentric contractions in sports performance, no research has evaluated the ergogenic effects of caffeine on this type of contraction means during flywheel exercises. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to compare the power outcomes, using different inertial loads, between caffeine and placebo conditions. Twenty-four young, healthy, and active men (age: 22.5 ± 4.8 years) took part in the study. A crossed, randomised double-blind design was used to analyse the effects of caffeine on lower limb power outcomes during a flywheel half-squat exercise. Participants completed four sets of eight all-out repetitions with a fixed three-minutes rest interval, and each set was performed using different inertial loads (i.e., 0.025, 0.050, 0.075 and 0.100 kg·m−2). Both the mean power (MP) and peak power (PP) in concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) movement phases at each inertial load were recorded after participants were administered either a caffeine supplement (6 mg·kg−1) or placebo (sucrose). Participants receiving a caffeine supplementation demonstrated improvements versus the placebo in total MP (MPtotal), as well as MP in CON phase (MPcon) and in ECC phase (MPecc) at each inertial load (22.68 to 26.53%; p < 0.01, effect size (ES) = 0.89–1.40). In addition, greater improvements with caffeine ingestion were obtained with respect to the placebo condition (18.79 to 24.98%; p < 0.01, ES = 1.03–1.40) in total PP (PPtotal), as well as PP in CON phase (PPcon) and in ECC phase (PPecc) at each inertial load. Thus, the supplementation of 6 mg·kg−1 caffeine may be considered to maximise on-field physical performance in those sports characterised by high demands of resistance.


2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew E. Kilding ◽  
Claire Overton ◽  
Jonathan Gleave

Purpose:To determine the effects of ingesting caffeine (CAFF) and sodium bicarbonate (SB), taken individually and simultaneously, on 3-km cycling time-trial (TT) performance.Method:Ten well-trained cyclists, age 24.2 ± 5.4 yr, participated in this acute-treatment, double-blind, crossover study that involved four 3-km cycling TTs performed on separate days. Before each TT, participants ingested either 3 mg/kg body mass (BM) of CAFF, 0.3 g · kg−1 · BM−1 of SB, a combination of the two (CAFF+SB), or a placebo (PLAC). They completed each 3-km TT on a laboratory-based cycle ergometer, during which physiological, perceptual, and performance measurements were determined. For statistical analysis, the minimal worthwhile difference was considered ~1% based on previous research.Results:Pretrial pH and HCO3 were higher in SB and CAFF+SB than in the CAFF and PLAC trials. Differences across treatments for perceived exertion and gastric discomfort were mostly unclear. Compared with PLAC, mean power output during the 3-km TT was higher in CAFF, SB, and CAFF+SB trials (2.4%, 2.6%, 2.7% respectively), resulting in faster performance times (–0.9, –1.2, –1.2% respectively). Effect sizes for all trials were small (0.21–0.24).Conclusions:When ingested individually, both CAFF and SB enhance high-intensity cycling TT performance in trained cyclists. However, the ergogenic effect of these 2 popular supplements was not additive, bringing into question the efficacy of coingesting the 2 supplements before short-duration high-intensity exercise. In this study there were no negative effects of combining CAFF and SB, 2 relatively inexpensive and safe supplements.


Author(s):  
Sajjad Rezaei ◽  
Kazem Akbari ◽  
Daniel E. Gahreman ◽  
Amir Sarshin ◽  
Montassar Tabben ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The ergogenic properties of acute caffeine (CAF) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) ingestion on athletic performance have been previously investigated. However, each sport has unique physiological and technical characteristics which warrants optimizing supplementations strategies for maximizing performance. This study examined the effects of CAF and NaHCO3 ingestion on physiological responses and rate of perceived exertion during a Karate-specific aerobic test (KSAT) in competitive karatekas. Methods In a double-blind, crossover, randomized placebo-controlled trial, eight Karatekas underwent five experimental conditions including control (CON), placebo (PLA), CAF, NaHCO3, and CAF + NaHCO3 before completing KSAT. Capsules containing 6 mg/kg BW CAF were consumed 50 min prior to a KSAT whilst 0.3 g/kg BW NaHCO3 was consumed for 3 days leading to and 120, 90, and 60 min prior to a KSAT. Time to exhaustion (TTE), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and blood lactate (BL) were measured before, immediately after and 3 min following KSAT. Results TTE was significantly greater following CAF, NaHCO3, and CAF + NaHCO3 consumption compared to PLA and CON. However, the differences between CAF, NaHCO3, and CAF + NaHCO3 were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). BL increased significantly from baseline to immediately after and 3 min following KSAT in all conditions (p < 0.01), while RPE at the end of KSAT was not significantly different between conditions (p = 0.11). Conclusions Karate practitioners may benefit from the ergogenic effects of CAF and NaHCO3 when consumed separately or together.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Azevedo ◽  
Matheus Guidugli de Oliveira ◽  
Kelvin Tanaka ◽  
Paulo Eduardo Pereira ◽  
Gilmar Esteves ◽  
...  

It is well established that caffeine has ergogenic effects on endurance exercise performance. This evidence often comes from well-designed studies in which subjects receive either caffeine or placebo in double-blind, randomized and counterbalanced order. Here, we propose a new methodology which aims to estimate the effects of participant expectancy of ergogenic or anti-ergogenic effects on performance. Sixteen (16) participants performed three (3) 30-minute running tests after being told they would be provided with either a harmful treatment (lactic acid), a beneficial treatment (caffeine) or a placebo. In each blinded case, subjects were given caffeine. The velocity and RPE during the time trial were examined in light of the participant’s expectancy before and after the endurance event using Bayesian multilevel models. For pre-exercise expectancy, there is a 92% probability that caffeine expectation decreases RPE (posterior median±SD -0.65±0.36) and a 79% probability that lactic acid expectation increases RPE (posterior median±SD 0.58±0.47) with expectations for placebo and ‘not sure’ falling in between (posterior median±SD: -0.37±0.32 and -0.22±0.37, respectively). In general, our interventions suggest an 81% probability that caffeine lowers RPE. However, there was no effect of caffeine supplementation on running velocity (median±SD 0.04±0.08 km.h-1). We concluded that when a participant believed they are under a potentially positive treatment, their RPE decreased but if they believed themselves to be under a harmful treatment, their RPE increased, regardless of the actual positive intervention; neither caffeine nor the expectancy of a particular intervention improved actual performance as measured by running velocity in a 30-minute period.


2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 601-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Aedma ◽  
Saima Timpmann ◽  
Vahur Ööpik

Purpose:Peak power (PP) and mean power (MP) attained in upper body sprint performance test are considered important factors for competitive success in wrestling. This study aimed to determine whether acute caffeine ingestion would better maintain PP and MP across a simulated competition day in wrestling.Methods:In a double-blind, counterbalanced, crossover study, 14 trained wrestlers ingested either placebo or 5 mg/kg caffeine and completed four 6-min upper body intermittent sprint performance tests with 30-min recovery periods between consecutive tests. PP and MP were recorded during and blood lactate concentration was measured before and after each test. Ratings of perceived fatigue (RPF) and exertion (RPE) were recorded before and after each test, respectively. Heart rate (HR) was monitored across the whole testing period.Results:Mean power decreased across four tests in both trials (p < .05), but the reduction in PP (from 277.2 ± 34.6 W to 257.3 ± 45.1 W; p < .05) only occurred in caffeine trial. Both pretest blood lactate concentration and HR were higher in caffeine than in placebo trial (p < .05) in the third and fourth tests. No between-trial differences occurred in RPF or RPE.Conclusions:Under simulated competition day conditions mimicking four consecutive wrestling matches, acute caffeine ingestion has a partially detrimental effect on upper body intermittent sprint performance in trained wrestlers. Elevated HR and blood lactate levels observed between tests after caffeine ingestion suggest that caffeine may impair recovery between consecutive maximal efforts.


1995 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Robert MacIntosh ◽  
Bridget Margarette Wright

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential ergogenic benefit of caffeine in the performance of a 1,500-meter swim. Caffeine (6 mg∙kg−1) or placebo was administered 2-1/2 hrs prior to the swim trial in a double-blind crossover design. Caffeine resulted in a significantly lower perceived exertion for 100-m warm-up swims. Subjects swam significantly (p < 0.05) faster with caffeine (20:58.8 ± 0:36.4, mean ± SEM) than without (21:21.8 ± 0:38). Plasma potassium was significantly lower prior to the swim with caffeine, and blood glucose was higher after that swim. Caffeine provides an ergogenic benefit for a 1,500-meter swim, an event that is completed in less than 25 min. Lower plasma potassium concentration prior to exercise and higher blood glucose following the trial suggest that electrolyte balance and glucose availability may be important aspects of the ergogenic effects of caffeine. Key words: methylxanthines, endurance, exercise, potassium, fatigue, swimming


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 471-481
Author(s):  
Gabriel Barreto ◽  
Rafael Pires da Silva ◽  
Guilherme Yamaguchi ◽  
Luana Farias de Oliveira ◽  
Vitor de Salles Painelli ◽  
...  

Caffeine has been shown to increase anaerobic energy contribution during short-duration cycling time-trials (TT) though no information exists on whether caffeine alters energy contribution during more prolonged, aerobic type TTs. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of caffeine supplementation on longer and predominantly aerobic exercise. Fifteen recreationally-trained male cyclists (age 38±8 y, height 1.76±0.07 m, body mass 72.9±7.7 kg) performed a ~30 min cycling TT following either 6 mg·kg-1BM caffeine (CAF) or placebo (PLA) supplementation, and one control (CON) session without supplementation, in a double- -blind, randomised, counterbalance and cross-over design. Mean power output (MPO) was recorded as the outcome measure. Respiratory values were measured throughout exercise for the determination of energy system contribution. Data were analysed using mixed-models. CAF improved mean MPO compared to CON (P=0.01), and a trend towards an improvement compared to PLA (P=0.07); there was no difference in MPO at any timepoint throughout the exercise between conditions. There was a main effect of Condition (P=0.04) and Time (P<0.0001) on blood lactate concentration, which tended to be higher in CAF vs. both PLA and CON (Condition effect, both P=0.07). Ratings of perceived exertion increased over time (P<0.0001), with no effect of Condition or interaction (both P>0.05). Glycolytic energy contribution was increased in CAF compared to CON and PLA (both P<0.05), but not aerobic or ATP-CP (both P>0.05). CAF improved aerobic TT performance compared to CON, which could be explained by increased glycolytic energy contribution.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur de Azevedo ◽  
Mauro Guerra ◽  
Leonardo Caldas ◽  
Lucas Guimarães-Ferreira

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a combat sport where competitors utilize strikes (punches, kicks, knees, and elbows) and submission techniques to defeat opponents in a cage or ring. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acute caffeine ingestion on punching performance by professional MMA athletes. The study used a double-blind, counterbalanced, crossover design. Eleven professional MMA competitors (27.6 ± 4.3 years and 83.5 ± 7.8 kg of body weight) ingested a dose of caffeine (5 mg·kg−1) or placebo 60 min prior to three sets of punching. Each set consisted of 15 s, at which participants were asked to perform straight punches with maximum strength and frequency with his dominant arm. After each set, a 45 s recovery time was applied. Using a force transducer attached to a cushioned plate, the punch frequency, and mean and maximal punch force was measured. The readiness to invest in both physical (RTIPE) and mental (RTIME) effort was assessed prior to the protocol, and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was recorded after. Caffeine ingestion did not result in increased punching frequency, mean and maximum punch force, RTIPE, RTIME, and RPE when compared to the placebo condition. Based on these results, acute caffeine ingestion did not improve punching performance in professional MMA athletes.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Del Coso ◽  
Beatriz Lara ◽  
Carlos Ruiz-Moreno ◽  
Juan Salinero

The ergogenicity of caffeine on several exercise and sport situations is well-established. However, the extent of the ergogenic response to acute caffeine ingestion might greatly vary among individuals despite using the same dosage and timing. The existence of one or several individuals that obtained minimal ergogenic effects or even slightly ergolytic effects after caffeine intake (i.e., non-responders) has been reported in several previous investigations. Nevertheless, the concept non-responding to caffeine, in terms of physical performance, relies on investigations based on the measurement of one performance variable obtained once. Recently it has been suggested that correct identification of the individual ergogenic effect induced by caffeine intake requires the repeated measurement of physical performance in identical caffeine–placebo comparisons. In this communication, we present data from an investigation where the ergogenic effect of acute caffeine intake (3 mg/kg) was measured eight times over a placebo in the same individuals and under the same conditions by an incremental cycling test to volitional fatigue and an adapted version of the Wingate cycling test. The ergogenic response to caffeine varied from 9% to 1% among individuals, but all participants increased both cycling power in the incremental test and Wingate mean power at least three to eight times out of eight the caffeine–placebo comparisons. These data expand the suggestion of a minimal occurrence of caffeine non-responders because it shows that all individuals responded to caffeine when caffeine is compared to a placebo on multiple and repeated testing sessions.


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