Acute Caffeine Ingestion did not Enhance Punch Performance in Professional Mixed-Martial Arts Athletes

Abstract

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.

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“…These effects of caffeine have been reported to improve the performance of combat athletes [ 59 ]. Conversely, a study showed no significant effect of caffeine ingestion on punching performance in professional mixed martial arts athletes [ 60 ]. Although genetic analyses were not conducted in this study [ 60 ], genetic factors involved in caffeine metabolism or signaling pathways may significantly affect inter-individual differences in the response to caffeine, similar to that seen for COMT genotype-related DA doses in the CNS [ 50 ].…”

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