The Influence of Caffeine Supplementation on Specific Performance and Training Activities

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to verify the effect of acute caffeine (CAF) and placebo (PLA) supplementation on physical capacity and discipline-specific exercise performance in athletes, in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial.

Detailed Description
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Caffeine (CAF) is often proposed as an ergogenic agent, especially during high-intensity efforts. CAF supplementation may reduce effort-induced multi-faceted symptoms of fatigue and can improve psychomotor functions (like agility or decision-making processes), which is required during the intermittent high-intensity efforts in combat sports and speed-strength disciplines. Moreover, it is suggested that CAF treatment is associated with increased glycolytic activity during simulated or real training/competition bouts, which results in performance and physical capacity improvement. However, there are hardly any data on the individual CAF-induced and dose-dependent changes in physical capacity and discipline-specific performance in combat sports and speed-strength disciplines. Therefore, the study aims to examine the effect of acute, different-dose CAF ingestion on physical capacity and discipline-specific performance in combat sports and speed-strength athletes, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial.

Official Title
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The Influence of Caffeine Supplementation on Discipline-Specific Performance and Training Activities in Combat Sports and Speed-Strength Disciplines

Conditions
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Supplementation, Sports

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: Caffeine supplementation
* Dietary Supplement: Placebo treatment


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: written consent to participate, a current medical clearance to practice sports, training experience: at least 2 years, minimum of 4 workout sessions (in the discipline covered by the study) a week. Exclusion Criteria: current injury, any health-related contraindication, declared general feeling of being unwell, unwilling to follow the study protocol.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Caffeine supplementation<br>Group taking oral CAF (Caffeine) supplementation in a different-dose crossover regimen. | Dietary Supplement: Caffeine supplementation<br>* The experimental procedure for each athlete includes an acute CAF supplementation in a different-dose crossover regimen in order to assess whether the dose affects the actual physical capacity and discipline-specific exercise performance (doses: 3.0-, 6.0- and 9.0 mg/kg of body mass, respectively). CAF (pure pharmaceutical caffeine) will be administered in the dissolved form. On testing days, the supplements will be taken 45 min before physical and exercise capacity test session. Between the CAF and PLA or a PLA and CAF treatments, a minimum 7-day washout period will be introduced.<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo treatment<br>Group taking oral supplementation with placebo. | Dietary Supplement: Placebo treatment<br>* The experimental procedure for each athlete will include PLA supplementation. Placebo will be administered in the dissolved form. On testing days, the PLA will be taken 45 min before physical and exercise capacity test session. Between the PLA and CAF or a CAF and PLA treatments, a minimum 7-day washout period will be introduced.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in discipline-specific exercise capacity after caffeine supplementation and placebo treatment | Assessment of the discipline-specific exercise capacity tests carried out at baseline, and after CAF and PLA supplementation | Baseline and during 1 day of acute CAF and PLA supplementation | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in sports training / competition activities after discipline-specific exercise tests | Assessment of the sports training / competition activities after discipline-specific exercise tests carried out at baseline, and after CAF and PLA supplementation | Baseline and during 1 day of acute CAF and PLA supplementation | 
| Changes in rate of perceived exertion after discipline-specific exercise tests | Assessment of the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale after discipline-specific exercise tests carried out at baseline, and after CAF and PLA supplementation | Baseline and during 1 day of acute CAF and PLA supplementation | 
| Changes in heart rate during discipline-specific exercise tests | Assessment of the Heart Rate during and after discipline-specific exercise tests carried out at baseline, and after CAF and PLA supplementation | Baseline and during 1 day of acute CAF and PLA supplementation | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Sports nutrition, Caffeine, Physical capacity, Exercise performance