Abstract
Introduction: Studies evaluating caffeinated coffee (CAF) can reveal ergogenic effects; however, studies on the effects of caffeinated coffee on running are scarce and controversial. Aim: To investigate the effects of CAF consumption compared to decaffeinated coffee (DEC) consumption on time trial performances in an 800-m run in overnight-fasting runners. Methods: A randomly counterbalanced, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study was conducted with 12 healthy adult males with experience in amateur endurance running. Participants conducted two trials on two different occasions, one day with either CAF or DEC, with a one-week washout. After arriving at the data collection site, participants consumed the soluble CAF (5.5 mg/kg of caffeine) or DEC and after 60 min the run was started. Before and after the 800-m race, blood pressure and lactate and glucose concentrations were measured. At the end of the run, the ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) scale was applied. Results: The runners were light consumers of habitual caffeine, with an average ingestion of 91.3 mg (range 6–420 mg/day). Time trial performances did not change between trials (DEF: 2.38 + 0.10 vs. CAF: 2.39 + 0.09 min, p = 0.336), nor did the RPE (DEC: 16.5 + 2.68 vs. CAF: 17.0 + 2.66, p = 0.326). No difference between the trials was observed for glucose and lactate concentrations, or for systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels. Conclusion: CAF consumption failed to enhance the time trial performance of an 800-m run in overnight-fasting runners, when compared with DEC ingestion. In addition, no change was found in RPE, blood pressure levels, or blood glucose and lactate concentrations between the two trials.
Highlights
Studies evaluating caffeinated coffee (CAF) can reveal ergogenic effects; studies on the effects of caffeinated coffee on running are scarce and controversial
The contradictory findings on running performance may be linked to variations in coffees nutritional properties, such as the chlorogenic acid and caffeine content [6], differences in coffee-derived caffeine content due to changes in weather, coffee processing, and genetic engineering [7]
The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Federal University of Goiás (2.361.759 version 2)
Summary
Studies evaluating caffeinated coffee (CAF) can reveal ergogenic effects; studies on the effects of caffeinated coffee on running are scarce and controversial. Aim: To investigate the effects of CAF consumption compared to decaffeinated coffee (DEC) consumption on time trial performances in an 800-m run in overnight-fasting runners. Conclusion: CAF consumption failed to enhance the time trial performance of an 800-m run in overnight-fasting runners, when compared with DEC ingestion. Caffeine has been widely used as an ergogenic aid to increase physical performance [1,2] It is available in different forms, such as gels, gums, powders, bars, and energy drinks [1]; few studies have investigated the effects of caffeinated coffee (CAF) on runners [3,4,5]. Wiles et al [5] observed that consumption of 3 g (150–300 mg/caffeine) of CAF an hour before a treadmill test was able to improve the performance (time to run 1500 m) by 1.45% when compared. A fed or fasted state [8] and the placebo effect [9,10] may be responsible for variations in performance
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