Document Type

Presentation

Abstract

Introduction: The ergogenic effect of caffeine on short-term, high intensity exercise has been shown to be controversial throughout the literature. Some studies have shown little to no effect on anaerobic power with caffeine supplementation while a select few have shown significant gains. Anaerobic power is the energy that is stored in muscles that is readily available at any time and can be accessed without the use of oxygen. It may be expressed as an absolute value in Watts (S) or as a relative rate in Watts per Kilogram (/Kg). Anaerobic power has long been an integral part of sports that require quick high intensity burst of energy in order to fulfill certain tasks. Such sports include football, basketball, soccer. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to seek any potential benefits from caffeine supplementation in anaerobic power performance. Methods: Five men (mean ± SD, age: 24.2 ± 3.0 years; body weight 72.2 ± 13.3 kg; height 179.2 ± 10.9 cm; BMI 22.44 ± 3.1 Kg/m2) of the UTA Kinesiology Department, volunteered to participate in this study. Each subject took part in two visits to the cardiovascular lab in the MAC to complete a two Wingate test. Trials were randomized, conducted in a double blind manner, and separated by at least 48 hours. Thirty minutes before the beginning of the test subjects were asked to ingest tablets that contained either caffeine (CAFF: 5mg/kg of body weight) or a placebo (PL: Smarties). During each visit heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded. With the use of a computerized Wingate program, mean power, peak power, rate of fatigue as well as relative values were calculated. Results: mean and peak power calculated are as followed: (CAFF: MP: 811.6 ± 256.8 W; PP: 1313.8 ± 362.3 W) (PL: MP: 805.2 ± 237.3 W; PP: 1386.4 ± 328.1 W). Relative mean and peak values calculated were (CAFF: RMP: 11.2 ± 2.7 W/Kg; RPP: 18.3 ± 4.2 W/Kg) (PL: RMP: 11.1 ± 2.0 W/Kg; RPP: 19.3 ± 3.2 W/Kg). The maximal values of HR (CAFF: 169 ± 16.0 bpm) (PL: 173.2 ± 14.1 bpm) and RPE (CAFF: 15.8 ± 2.8) (PL: 15.8 ± 1.9) combined were not significantly different between the two treatments. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that there is no real benefit in anaerobic power with the use of caffeine as an ergogenic aid for performance. Although it may provide more concrete benefits in aerobic performance anaerobically caffeine fails to provide any benefit to performance.

Disciplines

Kinesiology | Life Sciences

Publication Date

12-1-2013

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