Effects of Supplementation of a Pre-workout on Power Maintenance in Lower Body and Upper Body Tasks in Women

Abstract

Currently there is a lack of research into how women respond to pre-workout supplementation. The effects of supplements on exercise performance in women, specifically to power, must be performed. This study investigated the effects of supplementation on power production and maintenance during a high-intensity cycle ergometry sprint performance, vertical jump performance, and bench press performance in women. It also investigated the effects of supplementation on power production and the maintenance of upper and lower body tasks in women. A total of 23 females (22.9 ± 3.6 years, 175.6 ± 6.5 cm, 86.9 ± 15.1 kg, 19.1 ± 8.4 body fat percentage (BF%) (mean ± std. dev.)) were familiarized with the testing protocol and maximal bench press performances were attained (49.5 ± 15.4 kg). Utilizing a double-blind crossover design, subjects completed three trials of: Five countermovement vertical jumps, a high-intensity cycle sprint protocol, which consisted of 10 maximal, five second cycle ergometer sprints. Subjects performed a velocity bench press test, utilizing 80% of their predetermined one repetition maximum (1RM) for 10 sets of three repetitions for maximal speed. For 20 min prior to each trial, the subjects ingested, in a randomized order, a pre-workout supplement (Supp), placebo+150 mg caffeine (Caff), or a placebo (PL). Peak power (PP), mean power (MP), and minimum power (MNP) were recorded for each sprint. Maximal velocity from each set was also recorded. Bike sprint and bench press data were normalized to the placebo trial for analysis. Blood lactate (bLa − ) was measured immediately prior to each testing session, within 2 min of the completion of the last cycle sprint and following the bench press test. Bike sprint and bench press testing showed no significant differences through the testing sessions, but did significantly decline over test battery (p < 0.05). Vertical jump performance and lactate levels were not significantly different. Supplementation with a pre-workout supplement or placebo with caffeine 20 min prior to participation showed no positive benefits to performance in female participants.

Acute Caffeine Intake Enhances Mean Power Output and Bar Velocity during the Bench Press Throw in Athletes Habituated to Caffeine

“…No changes in mean and peak bar velocity after CAF intake of 150 mg, representing 1.74 mg/kg/b.m. were observed in a study by Lane et al [54] where 10 sets of 3 repetitions of the bench press exercise were performed at 80% 1 RM. The current study is quite innovative because it is the first investigation geared to assess the effects of CAF intake on power output by using a ballistic upper body exercise with a low external load (30% 1 RM), geared for power training of athletes [55].…”

“…However, it should be emphasized that this is the first study investigating the effects of CAF during a training session that includes several sets of a ballistic exercise. Experimental procedures with the use of CAF in which more than one set of an upper body exercise are used are scarce [18,53,54]. The study of Lane and Byrd [53] showed that the intake of 300 mg of CAF, representing 3.5 mg/kg/b.m.…”

Effects of Acute Caffeine Intake on Power Output and Movement Velocity During a Multiple-Set Bench Press Exercise Among Mild Caffeine Users

“…Previous studies showed that acute caffeine ingestion increased mean power output ( Giráldez Costas et al, 2020 ; Pallarés et al, 2013 ; Wilk et al, 2020a ) and peak power output ( Del Coso et al, 2012 ; Diaz-Lara et al, 2016 ; Giráldez Costas et al, 2020 ) during the bench press exercise. However, it should be noted that most previous research assessed the effects of caffeine intake in tests with a single set of exercise and to date, only five studies considered the ergogenic effect of caffeine during a multiple-set bench press training session ( Giráldez Costas et al, 2020 ; Lane et al, 2019 ; Lane and Byrd, 2018 ; Wilk et al, 2019b , 2020a ). Results of the present study show that acute caffeine intake improves mean power output and mean bar velocity during a multipleset bench press exercise, which is consistent with the data of Wilk et al (2020a) obtained during a multiple-set bench press-throw exercise.…”

“…Additionally, the outcomes of these investigations are contradictory. Lane et al (2019) found no ergogenic effect of acute caffeine intake (150 mg) on mean and peak bar velocity during a multiple-set bench press exercise (10 sets × 3 repetitions at 80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM)). On the contrary, the study by Lane and Byrd (2018) showed improved peak bar velocity (with no significant differences in mean bar velocity) after ingestion of 300 mg of caffeine during a similar experimental protocol.…”

“…To date, there are several studies that investigated the acute effects of caffeine on bench press performance ( Arazi et al, 2016 ; Diaz-Lara et al, 2016 ; Goldstein et al, 2010a ; Grgic and Mikulic, 2017 ; Wilk et al, 2019d , 2020a ). However, only five studies included protocols with multiple-set in the bench press exercise ( Giráldez Costas et al, 2020 ; Lane et al, 2019 ; Lane and Byrd, 2018 ; Wilk et al, 2019b , 2020a ). Additionally, the outcomes of these investigations are contradictory.…”