Improvement of Sprint Performance in Wheelchair Sportsmen With Caffeine Supplementation

Abstract

Acute CAF supplementation can improve both 20-m-sprint performance and a 1-off bout of short-term endurance performance in wheelchair sportsmen.

Effect of caffeine on maximal oxygen uptake in wheelchair rugby players: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study

“…That said, performance gains may be less likely following caffeine supplementation during exercise which relies on the arms (with a lower proportion of type I fibres). The current study of Graham-Paulson et al (2016) adds further evidence that caffeine may have different effects on arm and leg muscles. The study proved that caffeine (a dose of 4 mg/kg) improved cycling but not handcycling time trial performance in able-bodied males.…”

“…In general, only one study explored the positive influence of caffeine on exercise performance in athletes with tetraplegia (Graham-Paulson et al, 2016). These researchers have focused on caffeine supplementation in 20 m sprint performance and a 1 off bout of short-term endurance performance in wheelchair athletes.…”

“…Use of nutritional supplements is common among athletes with impairment (Graham-Paulson et al, 2016), but the available evidence of its efficacy in this population is lacking. To our knowledge, no previously published studies have directly sought to examine the effect of caffeine supplementation on maximal aerobic power in elite wheelchair athletes.…”

“…A met analysis of 21 studies that had measured the effect of caffeine on RPE demonstrated that caffeine reduces RPE by 5.6% in comparison with placebo, but again only in able-bodied athletes (Doherty & Smith, 2005). Graham-Paulson et al (2016) demonstrated no influence of caffeine supplementation on changes in RPE in wheelchair athletes.…”

“…In the first study, Graham-Paulson, Perret, Watson, and Goosey-Tolfrey (2016) investigated the effects of caffeine on sprint and 4 min maximal-push performance in wheelchair athletes. The study proved that acute caffeine supplementation, at the dosage 4 mg/kg, can improve both 20 m sprint performance and a 1 off bout of short-term endurance performance in wheelchair athletes.…”