The Effect of Caffeine Supplementation on Muscular Power in Recreationally Trained College Aged Males

Abstract

Background: Caffeine is a substance that is consumed regularly by approximately 90% of adults worldwide because it reduces fatigue and increases wakefulness. The benefit of caffeine consumption on athletic performance in large doses is well documented in aerobic athletes. However, the benefits of caffeine consumption on resistance training variables such as power are less clear. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of consumption of a large dose of caffeine on power production in experienced, resistance trained college aged males. Methods: Eighteen young and healthy college aged males (aged 21.7 ± 2.0 yrs) were included in this double-blind, placebo controlled study. Subjects performed a battery of tests that included a vertical jump (VJ), isometric squat (ISO), and Smith Machine squat (SQF) and bench press (BPF) to failure at 60% 1RM. Subjects consumed either 7 mg/kg body weight (BW) of caffeine or placebo, 60 minutes prior to testing. Test sessions were separated by 7 days. Power production during VJ, SQF and BPF exercises was evaluated. Power obtained during SQF and BPF was used to find the fatigue index (F.I.). Also, force production during an ISO was assessed. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine differences between treatments. Significance for all analysis was set at p ≤0.05. Results: There were no significant differences between treatments in VJ, ISO, SQF, or BPF. Conclusion: Consumption of 7 mg/kg BW of caffeine does not improve measures of force, power, or fatigue during resistance training in habitual caffeine users.