Enhancing Physical Performance in Male Volleyball Players with a Caffeine-Containing Energy Drink

Abstract

There are no scientific data about the effects of caffeine intake on volleyball performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a caffeine-containing energy drink to enhance physical performance in male volleyball players. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized experimental design was used. In 2 different sessions separated by 1 wk, 15 college volleyball players ingested 3 mg of caffeine per kg of body mass in the form of an energy drink or the same drink without caffeine (placebo). After 60 min, participants performed volleyball-specific tests: standing spike test, maximal squat jump (SJ), maximal countermovement jump (CMJ), 15-s rebound jump test (15RJ), and agility T-test. Later, a simulated volleyball match was played and recorded. In comparison with the placebo drink, the ingestion of the caffeinated energy drink increased ball velocity in the spike test (73 ± 9 vs 75 ± 10 km/h, P < .05) and the mean jump height in SJ (31.1 ± 4.3 vs 32.7 ± 4.2 cm, P < .05), CMJ (35.9 ± 4.6 vs 37.7 ± 4.4 cm, P < .05), and 15RJ (29.0 ± 4.0 vs 30.5 ± 4.6 cm, P < .05). The time to complete the agility test was significantly reduced with the caffeinated energy drink (10.8 ± 0.7 vs 10.3 ± 0.4 s, P < .05). In addition, players performed successful volleyball actions more frequently (24.6% ± 14.3% vs 34.3% ± 16.5%, P < .05) with the ingestion of the caffeinated energy drink than with the placebo drink during the simulated game. A caffeine-containing energy drink, with a dose equivalent to 3 mg of caffeine per kg body mass, might be an effective ergogenic aid to improve physical performance and accuracy in male volleyball players.

Caffeine supplementation improves countermovement jump in youth soccer players: a pilot study

“…A higher ball velocity, a higher mean jump height in squat jump (SJ), in countermovement jump (CMJ) and in 15-s rebound jump test (15RJ) were recorded when players ingested caffeine. They also performed more successful volleyball actions with caffeine than with placebo in the volleyball match 3 . In addition to these studies in team sports, caffeine has been Caffeine supplementation improves countermovement jump in youth soccer players: a pilot study…”

“…Another research determined the effect derived from caffeine in physical performance in volleyball players. Fifteen male volleyball players performed volleyball-specific tests and volleyball match was played and recorded, after the ingestion of caffeine (3mg/kg BM) or placebo 3 . A higher ball velocity, a higher mean jump height in squat jump (SJ), in countermovement jump (CMJ) and in 15-s rebound jump test (15RJ) were recorded when players ingested caffeine.…”

“…Caffeine Dose: There are studies which uses different dose in order to get ergogenic effects from caffeine supplementation [2][3][4][5][6][11][12][13][14][15][16] . A dose between 3-6mg of caffeine per kilogram of BM seems to have benefits without negative side effects and therefore a medium dose of 4mg/kg of BM was used.…”

“…Countermovent Jump (CMJ): CMJ has been used in numerous studies to evaluate the ergogenic effect of caffeine ingestion in team sports performance 3,5,14,17 . Players performed CMJs at the beginning and at the end of training sessions.…”

“…Before countermovement jump test, players performed a soccerspecific standardized warm-up in both sessions. Participants performed 5 maximal countermovement jumps with a minute of rest between repetitions 3 . The best and the worse jump were eliminated and the result was the average of the rest of jumps.…”