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Ergogenic effects of caffeine on peak aerobic cycling power during the menstrual cycle

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Abstract

Purpose

Recent investigations have established that the ingestion of a moderate dose of caffeine (3–6 mg kg−1) can increase exercise and sports performance in women. However, it is unknown whether the ergogenicity of caffeine is similar during all phases of the menstrual cycle. The aim of this investigation was to determine the ergogenic effects of caffeine in three phases of the menstrual cycle.

Methods

Thirteen well-trained eumenorrheic triathletes (age = 31 ± 6 years; body mass = 58.6 ± 7.8 kg) participated in a double-blind, cross-over, randomised experimental trial. In the (1) early follicular (EF); (2) preovulation (PO); (3) and mid luteal (ML) phases, participants either ingested a placebo (cellulose) or 3 mg kg−1 of caffeine in an opaque and unidentifiable capsule. After a 60-min wait for substance absorption, participants performed an incremental maximal cycle ergometer test until volitional fatigue (25 W/min) to assess peak aerobic cycling power (Wmax).

Results

In comparison to the placebo, caffeine increased Wmax in the EF (4.13 ± 0.69 vs. 4.24 ± 0.71 W kg−1, Δ = 2.7 ± 3.3%, P = 0.01), in the PO (4.14 ± 0.70 vs. 4.27 ± 0.73 W kg−1, Δ = 3.3 ± 5.0%; P = 0.03) and in the ML (4.15 ± 0.69 vs. 4.29 ± 0.67 W kg−1, Δ = 3.6 ± 5.1%; P = 0.01) phases. The magnitude of the caffeine ergogenic effect was similar during all of the menstrual cycle phases (P = 0.85).

Conclusion

Caffeine increased peak aerobic cycling power in the early follicular, preovulatory, and mid luteal phases. Thus, the ingestion of 3 mg of caffeine per kg of body mass might be considered an ergogenic aid for eumenorrheic women during all three phases of the menstrual cycle.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the participants for their invaluable contribution to this research effort at investigating the effects of caffeine on female athletes. The authors are also very grateful to the Spanish Triathlon Federation for their support and help in the recruitment process.

Funding

The study was part of the CAFTRI project supported by a grant from the Spanish National Sports Council conceded to the Spanish Triathlon Federation, which covered the expenses necessary to carry out this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain

    Beatriz Lara, Jorge Gutiérrez-Hellín & Blanca Romero-Moraleda

  2. Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo, Spain

    Jorge Gutiérrez-Hellín

  3. Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Alberto García-Bataller

  4. Centre for Sport Studies, Rey Juan Carlos University, Fuenlabrada, Spain

    Paloma Rodríguez-Fernández & Juan Del Coso

Authors
  1. Beatriz Lara
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  2. Jorge Gutiérrez-Hellín
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  3. Alberto García-Bataller
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  4. Paloma Rodríguez-Fernández
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  5. Blanca Romero-Moraleda
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  6. Juan Del Coso
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Correspondence to Juan Del Coso.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest derived from the outcomes of this study.

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Lara, B., Gutiérrez-Hellín, J., García-Bataller, A. et al. Ergogenic effects of caffeine on peak aerobic cycling power during the menstrual cycle. Eur J Nutr 59, 2525–2534 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-019-02100-7

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