Effects of Low Dose Buccal Caffeine on Muscle Endurance and Anaerobic Performance

Abstract

To date there have been a number of studies that have assessed the effects of caffeine on both anaerobic and aerobic performance. However, there is little information about the effects of caffeine on RPE and pain during strength endurance or anaerobic activity. PURPOSE: The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the effects of low-dose caffeine administration on performance, RPE and pain scores after both the YMCA 1-min pushup test and the Wingate Anaerobic cycling test. METHODS: Ten college-aged males were recruited to participate in the investigation. The subjects were given either a piece of caffeine gum that is designed to deliver 100 mg of Caffeine in a buccal manner, or a placebo gum with identical shape and flavoring in a double-blind, placebo controlled, repeated measures design. The subjects chewed the gum (either caffeine or placebo) for five minutes to allow for caffeine absorption and subsequently performed the YMCA 1-minute push-up test followed by the Wingate anaerobic test. Subjects responded to the standard Borg RPE scale and an analogue 10pt pain scale immediately after each test. RESULTS: Repeated measures Mancova (Treatment × Exercise Type covaried for weight) revealed a significant main effect for Treatment (F = 18.534, ηp = 0.698, p = 0.003). The caffeine treatment resulted in lower scores on peak power (Caffeine: 958.5 ± 248.2 watts vs. Placebo: 991.99 ± 193.3 watts) and higher scores on power drop (Caffeine: 776.1 ± 231.2 watts vs. Placebo: 689.2 ± 272.2 watts) during the Wingate and a lower score on the YMCA push-up assessment (Caffeine: 54.2 ± 22.9 reps vs. Placebo: 57.3 ± 23.1 reps). Further analysis via repeated measures Mancova did not reveal any significant main or interaction effects for Pain or RPE. With caffeine supplementation subjects reported slightly lower values on the RPE scale (15.05 ± 0.622 vs. 15.15 ± 0.500) and slightly higher values on the pain scale (4.20 ± 0.398 vs. 4.15 ± 0.661). CONCLUSION: Based upon these data it would appear that low-dose caffeine administered in a buccal manner inhibits performance in tests of strength endurance and anaerobic performance, and has no effects on pain and RPE reporting during those assessments. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: These findings suggest that low-dose buccal caffeine is not likely to improve strength endurance based or anaerobic based performance, and also is not likely to decrease perceived exertion or pain during these tasks. Therefore, it is not recommended during these types of activities for the purposes of increasing performance or decreasing sensation.