Effects of caffeine supplementation on physical performance and mood dimensions in elite and trained-recreational athletes

Abstract

Background Caffeine supplementation (CAFF) has an established ergogenic effect on physical performance and the psychological response to exercise. However, few studies have compared the response to CAFF intake among athletes of different competition level. This study compares the acute effects of CAFF on anaerobic performance, mood and perceived effort in elite and moderately-trained recreational athletes. Methods Participants for this randomized, controlled, crossover study were 8 elite athletes (in the senior boxing national team) and 10 trained-recreational athletes. Under two experimental conditions, CAFF supplementation (6 mg/kg) or placebo (PLAC), the athletes completed a Wingate test. Subjective exertion during the test was recorded as the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) both at the general level (RPEgeneral) and at the levels muscular (RPEmuscular) and cardiorespiratory (RPEcardio). Before the Wingate test, participants completed the questionnaires Profiles of Moods States (POMS) and Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS). Results In response to CAFF intake, improvements were noted in Wpeak (11.22 ± 0.65 vs 10.70 ± 0.84; p = 0.003; $$ {\eta}_p^2 $$ηp2=0.44), Wavg (8.75 ± 0.55 vs 8.41 0.46; p = 0.001; $$ {\eta}_p^2 $$ηp2 =0.53) and time taken to reach Wpeak (7.56 ± 1.58 vs 9.11 ± 1.53; p < 0.001; $$ {\eta}_p^2 $$ηp2 =0.57) both in the elite and trained-recreational athletes. However, only the elite athletes showed significant increases in tension (+ 325%), vigor (+ 31%) and SVS (+ 28%) scores after the intake of CAFF compared to levels recorded under the condition PLAC (p < 0.05). Similarly, levels of vigor after consuming CAFF were significantly higher in the elite than the trained-recreational athletes (+ 5.8%). Conclusions CAFF supplementation improved anaerobic performance in both the elite and recreational athletes. However, the ergogenic effect of CAFF on several mood dimensions and subjective vitality was greater in the elite athletes.

Acute Effects of Caffeine Intake on Psychological Responses and High-Intensity Exercise Performance

“…In line with previous research [ 41 , 42 ], a 6 to 20 RPE scale of Borg (1978) [ 33 ] was presented as soon as participants finished the Wingate test. Accordingly, participants were first asked to report RPE regarding perceived exertion at legs (RPE muscular ); second, participants were asked to report RPE only at cardiorespiratory level (RPE cardio ); and finally, participants had to declare global RPE (RPE general ), which included features from both muscular and cardiorespiratory levels.…”

Analysis of Sports Supplements Consumption in Young Spanish Elite Dinghy Sailors

“…In response to the high demands for isometric strength and resistance that sailors must face [11,12], as well as the high % VO 2max they reach as the speed increases [9,14], those athletes who consume caffeine (20% sailors of international level and 25% of those of national level) can benefit from the use of this supplement. Since the molecular form resembles that of adenosine, caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, activating the central nervous system, which decreases the subjective perception of effort, while enhancing glycolytic metabolism, neuromuscular recruitment, and the bioavailability of calcium in myoplasm [52]; moreover, previous studies have demonstrated its ergogenic effect on the improvement of muscle strength [53] and in the face of high-intensity efforts [54].…”

A Survey on Dietary Supplement Consumption in Amateur and Professional Rugby Players

“…In rugby, caffeine supplementation has been shown to be effective to increase performance in a battery of rugby-specific tests [ 65 ]. Moreover, the ergogenic effect of caffeine on mood and physical performance is similar in normal and elite athletes [ 66 ] and may be a suitable supplementation for amateur and professional rugby players. Nevertheless, the prevalence of caffeine supplementation in this sample is lower than that of Olympic athletes, where its consumption has been detected in 76% of them [ 67 ].…”