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Effect of ambient temperature on caffeine ergogenicity during endurance exercise

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Abstract

It is well established that caffeine ingestion during exercise enhances endurance performance. Conversely, the physiological and psychological strain that accompanies increased ambient temperature decreases endurance performance. Little is known about the interaction between environmental temperature and the effects of caffeine on performance. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of ambient temperature (12 and 33°C) on caffeine ergogenicity during endurance cycling exercise. Eleven male cyclists (mean ± SD; age, 25 ± 6 years; \( {\dot V \text{O}}_{2\max } , \) 58.7 ± 2.9 ml kg−1 min−1) completed four exercise trials in a randomized, double blind experimental design. After cycling continuously for 90 min (average 65 ± 7% \( {\dot V \text{O}}_{2\max } \)) in either a warm (33 ± 1°C, 41 ± 5%rh) or cool (12 ± 1°C, 60 ± 7%rh) environment, subjects completed a 15-min performance trial (PT; based on total work accumulated). Subjects ingested 3 mg kg−1 of encapsulated caffeine (CAF) or placebo (PLA) 60 min prior to and after 45 min of exercise. Throughout exercise, subjects ingested water so that at the end of exercise, independent of ambient temperature, their body mass was reduced 0.55 ± 0.67%. Two-way (temperature × treatment) repeated-measures ANOVA were conducted with alpha set at 0.05. Total work (kJ) during the PT was greater in 12°C than 33°C [P < 0.001, η2 = 0.804, confidence interval (CI): 30.51–62.30]. When pooled, CAF increased performance versus PLA independent of temperature (P = 0.006, η2 = 0.542 CI: 3.60–16.86). However, performance differences with CAF were not dependent on ambient temperature (i.e., non-significant interaction; P = 0.662). CAF versus PLA in 12 and 33°C resulted in few differences in other physiological variables. However, during exercise, rectal temperature (T re) increased in the warm environment (peak T re; 33°C, 39.40 ± 0.45; 12°C, 38.79 ± 0.42°C; P < 0.05) but was not different in CAF versus PLA (P > 0.05). Increased ambient temperature had a detrimental effect on cycling performance in both the CAF and PLA conditions. CAF improved performance independent of environmental temperature. These findings suggest that caffeine at the dosage utilized (6 mg/kg body mass) is a, legal drug that provides an ergogenic benefit in 12 and 33°C.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the test subjects for their participation. The authors gratefully acknowledge the technical assistance of Jim Alvarez, Katie Beasley, Jillian Block, Julie DeMartini, Michael Eckert, Holly Emmanuel, Kalyn Henry, Ben Keegan, Mark Kellogg, Elaine Lee, Rebecca Lopez, Garrett Manthey, Stefania Marzano, Brendon McDermott, Emily Perillo, Adam Ptolemy, Jennifer Rivera, Katie Sanders, Rebecca Stearns, Amanda Travis, Emma Tzioumis, Angie West, and Linda Yamamoto. This study was funded in part by the University of Connecticut Doctoral Student Extraordinary Expense Award.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA

    Matthew S. Ganio, Evan C. Johnson, Jennifer F. Klau, Jeffrey M. Anderson, Douglas J. Casa, Carl M. Maresh, Jeff S. Volek & Lawrence E. Armstrong

  2. Texas Health Resources Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, 7232 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX, 75231, USA

    Matthew S. Ganio

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  1. Matthew S. Ganio
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Correspondence to Matthew S. Ganio.

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Communicated by Susan Ward.

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Ganio, M.S., Johnson, E.C., Klau, J.F. et al. Effect of ambient temperature on caffeine ergogenicity during endurance exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 111, 1135–1146 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1734-x

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