Does caffeine supplementation alter energy contribution during a work-based ~30 min cycling time-trial?

Abstract

Caffeine has been shown to increase anaerobic energy contribution during short-duration cycling time-trials (TT) though no information exists on whether caffeine alters energy contribution during more prolonged, aerobic type TTs. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of caffeine supplementation on longer and predominantly aerobic exercise. Fifteen recreationally-trained male cyclists (age 38±8 y, height 1.76±0.07 m, body mass 72.9±7.7 kg) performed a ~30 min cycling TT following either 6 mg·kg-1BM caffeine (CAF) or placebo (PLA) supplementation, and one control (CON) session without supplementation, in a double- -blind, randomised, counterbalance and cross-over design. Mean power output (MPO) was recorded as the outcome measure. Respiratory values were measured throughout exercise for the determination of energy system contribution. Data were analysed using mixed-models. CAF improved mean MPO compared to CON (P=0.01), and a trend towards an improvement compared to PLA (P=0.07); there was no difference in MPO at any timepoint throughout the exercise between conditions. There was a main effect of Condition (P=0.04) and Time (P<0.0001) on blood lactate concentration, which tended to be higher in CAF vs. both PLA and CON (Condition effect, both P=0.07). Ratings of perceived exertion increased over time (P<0.0001), with no effect of Condition or interaction (both P>0.05). Glycolytic energy contribution was increased in CAF compared to CON and PLA (both P<0.05), but not aerobic or ATP-CP (both P>0.05). CAF improved aerobic TT performance compared to CON, which could be explained by increased glycolytic energy contribution.