Effect Of An Absolute Dose Of Caffeine On Cycling Time Trial Performance In Average College-Age Men

Event Center BC

Caffeine is widely used during exercise to reduce fatigue. Few studies have investigated the effect of an absolute dose of encapsulated caffeine on exercise performance. PURPOSE: To investigate an absolute dose of encapsulated caffeine on a 15-min cycling time trial performance in college-age men with an average level of fitness. METHODS: On two separate occasions, five male subjects ingested either a 600 mg dose of encapsulated caffeine (CAF) or a placebo (PLA) in a double-blind design. Then, after one hour of seated rest, subjects exercised on a cycle ergometer for 45 min at 50%VO2max immediately followed by a 15-min time trial to complete as much work as possible. RESULTS: During the 15-min time trial, there was no significant difference between treatments in total work completed (CAF = 148. 9±36. 1 kJ, PLA = 140. 0±29. 7 kJ; p=0. 35). The difference between treatments in rating of perceived exertion approached significance (p=0. 05) at the end of the 15-min time trial (CAF = 18. 4±1. 1, PLA = 17. 0±0. 7). A significant main effect of treatment existed between caffeine and placebo trials in heart rate (CAF = 156±10 beats/min, PLA = 146±11 beats/ min; p=0. 03). CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results of this group of college-age men with an average fitness level did not show an ergogenic effect of caffeine on 15-min time trial. Heart rate appeared elevated during caffeine trials compared to placebo trials, which might indicate increased cardiovascular strain, although these results are preliminary and require continued investigation.