Dose-dependent effect of caffeine supplementation on judo-specific performance and training activity: a randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial

Abstract

Background Caffeine (CAF) supplementation could have a positive impact on physical performance and sport abilities. Nevertheless, the CAF-induced, dose-dependent influence on discipline-specific performance and combat activity in combat sports have not been sufficiently investigated. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of single ingestion of 3, 6, or 9 mg/kg body weight of CAF and placebo (PLA) on judo-specific performance and sparring combat activities. Methods In a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over design, acute pre-exercise supplementation with CAF (3, 6, or 9 mg/kg body weight) and placebo PLA in 22 male highly-trained judoists was examined. The study protocol involved five separate testing sessions using the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) with heart rate monitoring, three judo sparring combats and evaluation of the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) using the Borg scale. Results Six and 9 mg/kg CAF improved SJFT performance, while 9 mg/kg increased combat activity. Three mg/kg CAF lacked any apparent positive ergogenic effect. Among athletes, who include CAF-containing products in their habitual diet (consumers), only 9 mg/kg CAF effectively enhanced SJFT performance, while in those who do not consume CAF-containing products at regular basis (non-consumers), the enhancing effect was achieved even at 6 mg/kg. Conclusions Regarding combat sports, higher (6–9 mg/kg) than currently recommended CAF dosages (3–6 mg/kg) are apparently more effective in terms of judo-specific performance. However, the ergogenic CAF effect is not only dose-dependent, but it is also related to customary CAF consumption. Trial registration Clinical Trials Gov, NCT03822663 . Registered 28 January 2019 - Retrospectively registered Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12970-019-0305-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effect of Caffeine Supplementation on Sports Performance Based on Differences Between Sexes: A Systematic Review

“…Numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of caffeine supplementation on sports performance in which aerobic [1], anaerobic [2,3,4] or mixed [5,6,7] metabolism is prioritized. Current guidelines recommend the ingestion of low-to-moderate doses of caffeine, ranging from 3 to 6 mg/kg, approximately 60 min prior to exercise to get these improvements [8,9].…”

Caffeine improves biochemical and specific performance after judo training: a double-blind crossover study in a real judo training situation

“…SJFT) with doses between 6 and 9 mg/kg body mass, while 4 mg/kg body mass and 6 mg/kg body mass after rapid weight loss in judo did not increase significantly HR, as present results [ 2 , 15 ]. Using Edwards’ internal training load (eTRIMP) monitoring conversion [ 43 ] by measuring a product of the accumulated training duration (minute) of 5 zones by a coefficient related to each zone it is possible to suggest a dose–response relationship between training load and changes in performance associated with caffeine intake: In the present result, after the warm-up, athletes with caffeine maintained their internal load between the 3rd and the 4th zones eTRIMP (HR range 72% to 82%HR máx , with ∆ of 10%), while in placebo situation with similar training condition they had an expanded eTRIMP, using between the 3rd and 5th zones (HR mean range 69% to 90%HR máx , with ∆ of 21%) [ 7 ]. This result could be used in practical applications and future studies to understand the mechanisms involved in self-regulation during a judo championship, using caffeine and placebo conditions.…”

“…Preceding reports [ 41 , 42 ] indicated a significant correlation between HR and RPE during a judo competition (r = 0.88, p = 0.05 ) and in a sequential simulated training with four combats ( randori ) when observed the second (r = 0.70, p = 0.05 ) and the third randori (r = 0.64, p = 0.05 ) [ 7 ]. Present results indicated similar results during randori (80–120 min) maintaining an intermittent exercise ~ 82% of HR max , classified as intense.…”

“…Among these ergogenic aids, Caffeine ingestion is highly prevalent among combat athletes [ 2 , 3 ] and this phenomenon has not been studied in judo either of Olympic combats considering real training situations. A full literature review did not demonstrate any research addressing caffeine ingestion and judo performance during the competitive season [ 4 – 7 ]. To obtain information for conditioning and strength training it is important to highlight that open task and intermittent sports training involve complex specific and cognitive skills over a prolonged period of time (120-min), with high-intensity efforts (e.g.…”

Caffeine and Exercise Performance: Possible Directions for Definitive Findings

“…Whereas some studies (Astorino et al, 2008 ; Clarke et al, 2015 ; Trexler et al, 2016 ; Cesareo et al, 2019 ) reveal no significant caffeine effects on strength development, others (Anderson et al, 2000 ; Bruce et al, 2000 ; Pallarés et al, 2013 ; Behrens et al, 2015 ; Cesareo et al, 2019 ; Wilk et al, 2019 ) show significant caffeine supplementation improvements. In this context, recent studies have shown that higher doses of caffeine (above 6 mg.kg −1 ) are associated with strength and power performance improvement when compared to the use of moderate doses (Anderson et al, 2000 ; Pallarés et al, 2013 ; Durkalec-Michalski et al, 2019 ; Wilk et al, 2019 ). In these cases, the use of higher doses of caffeine could be triggering additional performance effects by increasing the calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (Klein et al, 1990 ; von Ruden and Neher, 1993 ).…”