Effects of Caffeine Supplementation on Performance in Ball Games

Abstract

Although a large body of evidence exists documenting the ergogenic properties of caffeine, most studies have focused on endurance performance. However, findings from endurance sports cannot be generalized to performance in ball games where, apart from having a high level of endurance, successful athletic performances require a combination of physiological, technical and cognitive capabilities. The purpose of this review was to critically evaluate studies that have examined the effect of a single dose of caffeine in isolation on one or more of the following performance measures: total distance, sprint performance, agility, vertical jump performance and accuracy in ball games. Searches of three major databases resulted in 19 studies (invasion games: 13; net-barrier games: 6) that evaluated the acute effects of caffeine on human participants, provided the caffeine dose administered, and included a ball games specific task or simulated match. Improvements in sprint performance were observed in 8 of 10 studies (80%), and vertical jump in 7 of 8 studies (88%). Equivocal results were reported for distance covered, agility and accuracy. Minor side effects were reported in 4 of 19 studies reviewed. Pre-exercise caffeine ingestion between 3.0 and 6.0 mg/kg of body mass appears to be a safe ergogenic aid for athletes in ball games. However, the efficacy of caffeine varies depending on various factors, including, but not limited to, the nature of the game, physical status and caffeine habituation. More research is warranted to clarify the effects of caffeine on performance measures unique to ball games, such as agility and accuracy. It is essential that athletes, coaches and practitioners evaluate the risk-benefit ratio of caffeine ingestion strategies on an individual case-by-case basis.

Acute caffeine supplementation promotes small to moderate improvements in performance tests indicative of in-game success in professional female basketball players

“…The total contribution of glycolysis to ATP resynthesis is nearly double the ATP production from the phosphocreatine energy system during maximal exercise lasting > 30 s (Grenhaff 1998 (Behrens et al 2015). In addition, caffeine ingestion enhances the force of muscle contraction via increases in calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (Chia et al 2017;Magkos and Kavouras 2005). To further confirm these mechanisms, further studies are needed examining neuromuscular responses to acute caffeine supplementation during anaerobic tasks in basketball players.…”

“…According to a review of the literature, the effect of caffeine supplementation on linear sprinting and COD speed are still unclear in team sports due to the scarcity of available studies (Chia et al 2017). Furthermore, only one study has determined the acute effect of caffeine supplementation on COD speed specifically in basketball players, reporting a non-significant effect (p = 0.338; -0.2%) (Puente et al 2017b), while linear sprinting was not investigated.…”

Nutritional Supplement for Athletic Performance: Based on Australian Institute of Sport Sports Supplement Framework

“…is recommended [16,17]. Recently Chia et al [18] reported that intake of 3-6 mg/kg b.w. of caffeine appears to be a safe ergogenic aid for ball game athletes.…”

Koffein, das am häufigsten konsumierte Psychostimulans: eine narrative Übersichtsarbeit

“…Die verfügbaren Studien zeigen mehrheitlich, dass die akute Anwendung von Koffein sportliche Ausdauerleistungen (in Dosierungen von 3-6 mg / kg Körpergewicht) [35,145] und muskuläre Kraft [146][147][148] steigern kann, während Sprintleistungen durch die akute Anwendung von Koffein vermutlich nicht verbessert werde können [149]. Die Effekte von Koffein wurden auch in Bezug auf die Veränderungen der Leistungen in verschiedenen Ball-und Mannschaftssportarten untersucht und dort in Bezug auf zahlreiche Parameter als vorteilhaft bewertet [150,151]. Gefunden wurde auch, dass die Erwartungshaltung der Anwender die Effekte von Koffein auf die physische / sportliche Leistungsfähigkeit moduliert [152].…”