From Mike Young’s (great) blog.
Caffeine Supplementation and Multiple Sprint Running Performance.
APPLIED SCIENCES
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 40(10):1835-1840, October 2008.
GLAISTER, MARK 1; HOWATSON, GLYN 1; ABRAHAM, CORINNE S. 1; LOCKEY, RICHARD A. 1; GOODWIN, JON E. 1; FOLEY, PAUL 2; MCINNES, GILLIAN 1
Abstract:
Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of caffeine supplementation on multiple sprint running performance.
Methods: Using a randomized double-blind research design, 21 physically active men ingested a gelatin capsule containing either caffeine (5 mg[middle dot]kg-1 body mass) or placebo (maltodextrin) 1 h before completing an indoor multiple sprint running trial (12 x 30 m; repeated at 35-s intervals). Venous blood samples were drawn to evaluate plasma caffeine and primary metabolite concentrations. Sprint times were recorded via twin-beam photocells, and earlobe blood samples were drawn to evaluate pretest and posttest lactate concentrations. Heart rate was monitored continuously throughout the tests, with RPE recorded after every third sprint.
Results: Relative to placebo, caffeine supplementation resulted in a 0.06-s (1.4%) reduction in fastest sprint time (95% likely range = 0.04-0.09 s), which corresponded with a 1.2% increase in fatigue (95% likely range = 0.3-2.2%). Caffeine supplementation also resulted in a 3.4-bpm increase in mean heart rate (95% likely range = 0.1-6.6 bpm) and elevations in pretest (+0.7 mmol[middle dot]L-1; 95% likely range = 0.1-1.3 mmol[middle dot]L-1) and posttest (+1.8 mmol[middle dot]L-1; 95% likely range = 0.3-3.2 mmol[middle dot]L-1) blood lactate concentrations. In contrast, there was no significant effect of caffeine supplementation on RPE.
Conclusion: Although the effect of recovery duration on caffeine-induced responses to multiple sprint work requires further investigation, the results of the present study show that caffeine has ergogenic properties with the potential to benefit performance in both single and multiple sprint sports.
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Caffeine Improves Physical and Cognitive Performance during Exhaustive Exercise.
APPLIED SCIENCES
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 40(10):1841-1851, October 2008.
HOGERVORST, EEF 1; BANDELOW, STEPHAN 1; SCHMITT, JEROEN 3; JENTJENS, ROY 3; OLIVEIRA, MARTA 2; ALLGROVE, JUDITH 2; CARTER, TOM 1; GLEESON, MICHAEL 2
Abstract:
Caffeine is thought to act as a central stimulant and to have effects on physical, cognitive, and psychomotor functioning.
Purpose: To examine the effects of ingesting a performance bar, containing caffeine, before and during cycling exercise on physical and cognitive performance.
Methods: Twenty-four well-trained cyclists consumed the products [a performance bar containing 45 g of carbohydrate and 100 mg of caffeine (CAF), an isocaloric noncaffeine performance bar (CHO), or 300 mL of placebo beverage (BEV)] immediately before performing a 2.5-h exercise at 60% V[spacing dot above]O2max followed by a time to exhaustion trial (T2EX) at 75% V[spacing dot above]O2max. Additional products were taken after 55 and 115 min of exercise. Cognitive function measures (computerized Stroop and Rapid Visual Information Processing tests) were performed before exercise and while cycling after 70 and 140 min of exercise and again 5 min after completing the T2EX ride.
Results: Participants were significantly faster after CAF when compared with CHO on both the computerized complex information processing tests, particularly after 140 min and after the T2EX ride (P < 0.001). On the BEV trial, performance was significantly slower than after both other treatments (P < 0.0001). There were no speed-accuracy tradeoffs (P > 0.10). T2EX was longer after CAF consumption compared with both CHO and BEV trials (P < 0.05), and T2EX was longer after CHO than after BEV (P < 0.05). No differences were found in the ratings of perceived exertion, mean heart rate, and relative exercise intensity (% V[spacing dot above]O2max; P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Caffeine in a performance bar can significantly improve endurance performance and complex cognitive ability during and after exercise. These effects may be salient for sports performance in which concentration plays a major role.