Acute Effects of Caffeine Intake on Psychological Responses and High-Intensity Exercise Performance

Raúl Domínguez,Juan José Ramos-Álvarez,Pablo Jodra,Antonio Jesús Sánchez-Oliver,Francisco Miguel-Tobal,Ángel Lago-Rodríguez,Juan José Montoya,Pablo Veiga-Herreros

doi:10.3390/ijerph18020584

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeine supplementation on: (i) psychological responses of subjective vitality and mood; (ii) performance through a Wingate test; and (iii) rate of perceived exertion (RPE) reported after a Wingate test. Methods: Fifteen male participants (22.60 ± 2.16 years) ingested 6 mg·kg-1 of caffeine or placebo (sucrose) supplementation in two experimental sessions. After 60 min from supplement intake, participants fulfilled two questionnaires, which measured subjective vitality and mood state, respectively. Subsequently, participants’ performance was assessed through a Wingate test, which was followed by measurements of RPE at general, muscular, or cardiovascular level. Results: Caffeine supplementation increased some components of mood, as assessed by profile of mood states (POMS) (tension and vigor dimensions) and subjective vitality profiles, which were followed by a greater maximum power, average power, and lower time needed to reach maximum power during the Wingate test. Moreover, lower RPE, both at muscular and general levels were reported by participants after the Wingate test. Conclusions: These results suggest that caffeine supplementation exerts positive effects both in psychological and physical domains in trained subjects.

Highlights

Introduction nal affiliationsA performance improvement of the order of 1.6% makes the difference between the gold medalist and the athlete finishing at fourth place at the Olympic Games [1]
Higher values were observed for the subjective vitality scale scores (+7.41%, 38.67 ± 4.37 vs. 36.00 ± 5.77, t14 = −2.53, p = 0.024, effect sizes (ES) = 0.54)
Regarding rate of perceived exertion (RPE), lower values for RPEmuscular (−2.52%, 18.07 ± 1.16 vs. 18.53 ± 0.92, t14 = 2.824, p = 0.014, ES = 0.45) and RPEgeneral (−2.54%, 17.93 ± 1.22 vs. 18.40 ± 0.91, z = −2.11, p = 0.035, ES = 0.45) were registered after caffeine supplementation, compared to placebo, whereas no differences were observed for RPEcardio

Summary

Introduction

A performance improvement of the order of 1.6% makes the difference between the gold medalist and the athlete finishing at fourth place at the Olympic Games [1]. This performance feature at maximum competitive level might explain the high prevalence of sport supplements consumption among athletes.

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion