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Caffeine ingestion improves power output decrement during 3-min all-out exercise

European Journal of Applied Physiology volume 116, pages 1693–1702 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the effect of caffeine ingestion on the 3-min all-out test (3MT) performance and plasma electrolytes in athletes.

Methods

Fifteen collegiate male basketball players were recruited and completed two trials separated by at least 1 week in caffeine (CAF, 6 mg kg−1) and placebo conditions. During the first visit, participants performed an incremental cycling test to determine their 3MT resistance. After a familiarization trial, participants performed a CAF or PL trial according to a randomized crossover design. One hour after ingesting capsules, the participants performed the 3MT to estimate the end-test power (EP) and work done above EP (WEP). Blood samples for sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), pH, and lactate concentrations were drawn pretest, 1 h after ingestion, and posttest.

Results

Significant differences in WEP (CAF vs. PL, 13.4 ± 3.0 vs. 12.1 ± 2.7 kJ, P < 0.05) but not in EP (CAF vs. PL, 242 ± 37 vs. 244 ± 42 W, P > 0.05) were determined between the conditions. Compared with the PL condition, the CAF condition yielded significantly higher power outputs (60–150 s), a lower fatigue rate during the 3MT (CAF vs. PL, 0.024 ± 0.007 vs. 0.029 ± 0.006 s−1, P < 0.05), a significantly higher lactate concentration after the 3MT, and significantly lower K+ concentrations at 1 h after caffeine ingestion. There were no significant interaction effects for pH and Na+ concentrations.

Conclusions

Caffeine ingestion did not change EP but improved WEP and the rate of decline in power output during short-term, severe exercise.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Abbreviations

3MT:

3-Minute all-out test

CAF:

Caffeine treatment

CI:

Confidence intervals

CNS:

Central nervous system

CP:

Critical power

EP:

End-test power

ES:

Effect size

FR:

Fatigue rate

GET:

Gas exchange threshold

HR:

Heart rate

HRpeak:

Peak heart rate

K+ :

Potassium

Na+ :

Sodium

PL:

Placebo treatment

RPE:

Rating of perceived exertion

SD:

Standard deviation

\(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}\) :

Oxygen uptake

\(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}\)max:

Maximal oxygen uptake

\(\dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2}\)peak:

Peak oxygen uptake

Wʹ:

Curvature constant

WEP:

Work done above EP

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the participants who contributed their time and effort to undertake this study and to Polypact International Co., Ltd., who sponsored the consumable materials of Cortex metabolic analysis system. This work is particularly supported by “Aim for the Top University Plan” of National Taiwan Normal University and the Ministry of Education, Taiwan.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Athletic Performance, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Ching-Feng Cheng & Ming-Tsung Shih

  2. Graduate Institute of Sports Training, University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan

    Wei-Chieh Hsu

  3. Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Yu-Hsuan Kuo

  4. Center for General Education, National Sun Yat-sen University, No. 70, Lienhai Rd., Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan

    Chia-Lun Lee

Authors
  1. Ching-Feng Cheng
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  2. Wei-Chieh Hsu
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  3. Yu-Hsuan Kuo
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  4. Ming-Tsung Shih
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  5. Chia-Lun Lee
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chia-Lun Lee.

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Communicated by Anni Vanhatalo.

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Cheng, CF., Hsu, WC., Kuo, YH. et al. Caffeine ingestion improves power output decrement during 3-min all-out exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 116, 1693–1702 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3423-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3423-x

Keywords

  • Critical power
  • Nutritional supplement
  • Ergogenic aid
  • Anaerobic power
  • Performance
  • Short-term high-intensity exercise