Caffeine improves various aspects of athletic performance in adolescents independent of their 163 C>A CYP1A2 genotypes.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether variations in 163 C>A CYP1A2 genotypes (rs 762551) (AA, AC, and CC) modify the ergogenic effects of caffeine (CAF) on strength, power, muscular endurance, agility, and endurance in adolescent athletes. One hundred adolescents (age=15±2years) were recruited. Participants ingested CAF (6mg.kg-1 ) or placebo (PLA, 300mg of cellulose) 1hour before performing a sequence of physical tests: handgrip strength, vertical jumps, agility test, sit-ups, push-ups, and the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1). Compared to PLA, CAF enhanced (P<.05) sit-up (CAF=37±9; PLA=35±8 repetitions) and push-up repetitions (CAF=26±11; PLA=24±11 repetitions), and increased distance covered in Yo-Yo IR1 test (CAF=1010.4±378.9; PLA=903.2±325.7m). There was no influence of CAF on handgrip strength (CAF=35.1±8.9; PLA=33.7±8.7 kgf), countermovement jump height (CAF=49.3±12.6; PLA=47.9±13.8cm), spike jump height (CAF=54.2±13.6; PLA=52.9±14.5cm), and time in agility test (CAF=15.8±1.1; PLA=15.9±1.3s, P>.05). When present, the ergogenic effect of CAF was not dependent of genotype. CAF improves muscular endurance and aerobic performance in adolescent athletes, regardless of their 163 C>A CYP1A2 genotype.