Abstract
Multiple studies corroborate the ergogenic properties of caffeine (CAF) for endurance performance, yet fewer investigations document the efficacy of acute caffeine intake for intense, short-term exercise. The aim of the study was to determine the ergogenic potential of caffeine during testing of muscular strength and endurance. Twenty-two resistance-trained men ingested CAF (6 mg/kg) or placebo (PL) 1 h pre-exercise in a randomized, double-blind crossover design. They refrained from caffeine intake and strenuous exercise 48 and 24 h, respectively, pre-visit. Initially, resting heart rate and blood pressure were obtained followed by one-repetition maximum (1-RM) testing on the barbell bench press and leg press. Upon determination of 1-RM, participants completed repetitions to failure at 60%1-RM. Heart rate, blood pressure, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured after the final repetition. Compared to PL, there was no effect (P > 0.05) of caffeine on muscular strength, as 1-RM bench press (116.4 ± 23.6 kg vs. 114.9 ± 22.8 kg) and leg press (410.6 ± 92.4 kg vs. 394.8 ± 95.4 kg) were similar. Total weight lifted during the 60% 1-RM trial was 11 and 12% higher for the bench press and leg press with caffeine compared to placebo, yet did not reach significance. RPE was similar at the end of resistance exercise with CAF vs. PL. Acute caffeine intake does not significantly alter muscular strength or endurance during intense bench press or leg press exercise, yet the practical importance of the increased muscular endurance remains to be explored.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baechle TR, Earle RW (2000) Essentials of strength training and conditioning. 2nd edn. Human Kinetics, Champaign
Beck TW, Housh TJ, Schmidt RJ, Johnson GO, Housh DJ, Coburn JW, Malek MH (2006) The acute effects of a caffeine-containing supplement on strength, muscular endurance, and anaerobic capabilities. J Strength Cond Res 20(3):506–510
Bond V, Gresham K, McRae J, Tearney RJ (1986) Caffeine ingestion and isokinetic strength. Br J Sports Med 20(3):135–137
Borg GAV (1982) Psychophysical bases of perceived exertion. Med Sci Sports Exerc 14:377–381
Costill DL, Dalsky GP, Fink WJ (1978) Effects of caffeine ingestion on metabolism and exercise performance. Med Sci Sports 10(3):155–158
Doherty M, Smith PM (2005) Effects of caffeine ingestion on rating of perceived exertion during and after exercise: a meta-analysis. Scand J Med Sci Sports 15:69–78
Graham TE (2001) Caffeine and exercise: metabolism, endurance, and performance. Sports Med 31(11):785–807
Graham TE, Spriet LL (1995) Metabolic, catecholamine, and exercise performance responses to various doses of caffeine. J Appl Physiol 78:867–874
Graham TE, Helge JW, MacLean DA, Kiens B, Richter EA (2000) Caffeine ingestion does not alter carbohydrate or fat metabolism in human skeletal muscle during exercise. J Physiol (Lond) 529:837–847
Greer F, McLean C, Graham TE (1998) Caffeine, performance, and metabolism during repeated Wingate exercise tests. J Appl Physiol 85(4):1502–1508
Hakkinen K (1993) Neuromuscular fatigue and recovery in male and female athletes during heavy resistance exercise. Int J Sports Med 14(2):53–59
Heyward VH (2002) Advanced fitness assessment and exercise prescription, 4th edn. Human Kinetics, Champaign
Ivy JL, Costill DL, Fink WJ, Lower RW (1979) Influence of caffeine and carbohydrate feedings on endurance performance. Med Sci Sports 11:6–11
Jackson AS, Pollock ML (1978) Generalized equations for predicting body density of men. Br J Nutr 40:497–504
Jacobs I, Pasternak H, Bell DG (2003) Effects of ephedrine, caffeine, and their combination on muscular endurance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 35(6):987–994
Jacobson BH, Edwards SW (1991) Influence of two levels of caffeine on maximal torque at selected angular velocities. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 31(2):147–153
Jacobson BH, Weber MD, Claypool L, Hunt LE (1992) Effect of caffeine on maximal strength and power in elite male athletes. Br J Sports Med 26(4):276–280
Kalmar JM, Cafarelli E (1999) Effects of caffeine on neuromuscular function. J Appl Physiol 87(2):801–808
Lane JD, Steege JF, Rupp SL, Kuhn CL (1992) Menstrual cycle effects on caffeine elimination in the human female. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 43:543–546
Lopes JM, Aubier M, Jardim J, Aranda JV, Macklem PT (1983) Effect of caffeine on skeletal muscle function before and after fatigue. J Appl Physiol 54(5):1303–1305
Loscher WN, Cresswell AG, Thorstensson A (1996) Central fatigue during long lasting submaximal contractions of the triceps surae. Exp Brain Res 108:305–314
Motl RW, O’Connor PJ, Dishman RK (2003) Effect of caffeine on perceptions of leg muscle pain during moderate intensity cycling exercise. J Pain 4(6):316–321
Nordlund MM, Thorstensson A, Cresswell AG (2004) Central and peripheral contributions to fatigue in relation to level of activation during repeated maximal voluntary isometric plantar flexions. J Appl Physiol 96: 218–225
Tarnopolsky MA, Cupido C (2000) Caffeine potentiates low frequency skeletal muscle force in habitual and nonhabitual caffeine consumers. J Appl Physiol 89:1719–1724
Taylor JL, Allen GM, Butler JE, Gandevia SC (2000) Supraspinal fatigue during intermittent maximal voluntary contractions of the human elbow flexors. J Appl Physiol 89:305–313
Acknowledgments
The authors are indebted to Mr. Gary Marx R.Ph for preparing the caffeine and placebo capsules used in the present study, as well as the participants for their outstanding effort in completing the demands of this protocol. We also thank the reviewers for valuable feedback leading to a better and more focused manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Astorino, T.A., Rohmann, R.L. & Firth, K. Effect of caffeine ingestion on one-repetition maximum muscular strength. Eur J Appl Physiol 102, 127–132 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-007-0557-x
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-007-0557-x