Pre-exercise caffeine enhances repeated sprint performance for at least 3.5 hours
Caffeine is one of the most widely used performance-enhancing supplements in sports. Despite its established benefits, how long they persist and how physiological responses change over that period remain unclear.
A recent study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise reveals that consuming caffeine before engaging in repeated sprint exercise can enhance performance and alter physiological responses for up to 3.5 hours. The research involved 12 healthy young adults who either received a caffeine dose of 5.5 mg per kilogram of body mass or a placebo 60 minutes prior to undergoing repeated cycling sprints over a 3.5-hour period.
The study found that caffeine significantly improved both the mean and peak sprint power output during the prolonged exercise. Additionally, caffeine increased plasma noradrenaline concentrations after sprint exercise, reduced ratings of perceived exertion, and decreased leg muscle pain. It also altered cardiovascular and respiratory responses, as well as reduced middle cerebral artery blood velocity, an index commonly used to measure cerebral blood flow.
These findings provide valuable insights into the duration of caffeine's performance-enhancing effects during prolonged intermittent exercise. The research may help athletes strategize the optimal use of caffeine to maximize performance in competitions that require repeated sprints.
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