Both Caffeine and Placebo Improve Vertical Jump Performance Compared With a Nonsupplemented Control Condition.

Abstract

To compare the acute effects of caffeine and placebo ingestion with a control condition (ie,no supplementation) on vertical jump performance. The sample for this study consisted of 26 recreationally trained men. Following the familiarization visit, the subjects were randomized in a double-blind manner to 3 main conditions: placebo, caffeine, and control. Caffeine was administered in the form of a gelatin capsule in the dose of 6mg·kg body weight-1. Placebo was also administered in the form of a gelatin capsule containing 6mg·kg-1 of dextrose. Vertical jump performance was assessed using a countermovement jump performed on a force platform. Analyzed outcomes were vertical jump height and maximal power output. For vertical jump height, significant differences were observed between placebo and control conditions (g = 0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03-0.24; +2.5%), caffeine and control conditions (g = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.17-0.50; +6.6%), and caffeine and placebo conditions (g = 0.19; 95% CI, 0.06-0.34; +4.0%). For maximal power output, no significant main effect of condition (P = .638) was found. Ingesting a placebo or caffeine may enhance countermovement jump performance compared with the control condition, with the effects of caffeine versus control appearing to be greater than the effects of placebo versus control. In addition, caffeine was ergogenic for countermovement jump height compared with placebo. Even though caffeine and placebo ingestion improved vertical jump height, no significant effects of condition were found on maximal power output generated during takeoff.