Sex differences in the acute effect of caffeine on repeated sprint performance: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

This study aimed to examine sex differences in acute caffeine intake on repeated sprint performance. Fifty-two resistance-trained individuals (age: 24.6±4.5years and sex (female/male): 26/26) participated in a randomized, triple-blind, cross-over, and placebo-controlled study. Participants ingested 3mg/kg caffeine or placebo and, after 60min, performed 4 Wingate tests (Wt), consisting of a 30 s all-out lower-body sprint against an individualized resisted load, with 90s rest periods between sprints. Mean (Wmean) and peak (Wpeak) power showed an interaction between sprint and supplement (P=0.038, ηp 2=0.095 and P<0.001, ηp 2=0.157, respectively), but only Wpeak reported a supplement and sex interaction (P=0.049 and ηp 2=0.166). Caffeine increased Wmean in Wt3 (3.5%, P=0.004, and g=1.059) and Wt4 (3.9%, P=0.012, and g=1.091) compared to placebo. Whereas, for Wpeak, caffeine increased Wpeak in the Wt1 (2.9%, P=0.050 and g=1.01) and Wt2 (3.2%, P=0.050, and g=1.01) in males and in Wt3 (5.2%, P=0.008, and g=1.79) and Wt4 (8.1%, P=0.004, and g=2.27) in female participants compared to placebo. No statistically significant sex differences were found in time to reach Wpeak, fatigue index. Acute caffeine intake stimulated a similar ergogenic effect on repeated sprint performance in men and women, except in peak power output, where caffeine increased performance during the first sprints in males and the last sprints in female participants.