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Keywords

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Abstract

Focused Clinical Question: How does caffeine (CAF) consumption affect sports performance measures in healthy college athletes? Data Sources: In December 2023, PubMed was utilized to search key terms, including collegiate athlete, caffeine, and performance measures. A publication time frame from 2013-2023 was established. Study Selections: Inclusion criteria consisted of studies investigating collegiate athletes ingesting CAF and its impact on anaerobic, agility, and speed performance measures. Exclusion criteria consisted of participants with current injuries and ingredients consumed in addition to CAF. Data Extraction: Outcomes included sports performance measures such as: vertical jump test, 60- and 100-meter time trials, reaction time, maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC), and anaerobic muscle endurance through the submaximal voluntary isometric contractions fatigue protocol (T lim). Summary Measures: Statistical analyses were performed utilizing non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis tests, paired-sample t-tests, and analyses of variance (ANOVAs). Evidence Appraisal: All included studies were randomized-controlled trials. Quality of evidence was assessed using the PEDro Critical Appraisal Checklist. Search Results: The computerized search resulted in 42 studies. Thirty-seven were excluded due to not being published within the past 10 years. The remaining 5 met all inclusion criteria. Data Synthesis: All included studies supported that CAF has a positive effect on sports performance measures. One study found that reaction time was faster after consumption of a CAF supplement in comparison to placebo (PL) (CAF: +0.4 to 7.5%; PL: -1.4 to 1.4%, p<0.5). Another study found that reaction time was significantly faster (p<0.01) with CAF dosages of 1.5-6 mg·kg−1 (1.5 (0.7±0.02 s), 3.0 (0.71±0.02 s), and 6.0 mg·kg−1 (0.69+0.02 s) compared to placebo (0.73±0.02 s). The third study established that up to 6 mg/kg of CAF significantly increased MVIC (male: ↑5.1%; female: ↑6.7%, p<0.05) and T lim (male: ↑16.6%; female: ↑14.4%). The fourth study measured explosive lower body power, finding higher doses of CAF, from 3 to 6 mg/kg, significantly improved vertical jump height (57.00±6.38 vs. 60.33±5.51, p<0.001). The last study measured speed with a 60- and 100-meter sprint; CAF intake significantly decreased sprint time by 0.14 seconds in 100-meter test (CAF: 11.26±0.33 s, PL: 11.40±0.39 s; p = 0.007). The 60-meter sprint time was also decreased compared to the placebo (CAF: 7.03±0.17 s; PL: 7.12±0.20 s; p=0.002). Evidence Quality: Articles received 8/11, 9/11, 9/11, 11/11, and 9/11 on the PEDro scale. Lost points were due to a lack of establishing eligibility criteria, lack of random allocation to groups, not concealing allocation, and lack of assessor blinding. Conclusion: There is a moderate amount of evidence indicating that CAF intake can positively affect various athletic performance measures in the collegiate athlete population. These findings indicate a strength of recommendation A due to the high quality, consistent, and patient-oriented results. Further research should examine additional advantages and disadvantages of CAF consumption on sports performance.

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