Influence of acute caffeine consumption on performance and biomechanical outcomes of vertical jumping: a randomized crossover trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v82.119204Keywords:
Countermovement jump, ergogenic aids, fatigue, injuries, techniqueAbstract
Introduction: Although the ergogenic effects of caffeine (CAFF) are well documented, its impact on exercise technique requires more comprehensive investigation.
Objective: To evaluate the influence of 6mg/kg of CAFF on jumping technique and performance.
Methodology: This randomized, double-blind, crossover study included fourteen trained naïve-low consumers of CAFF. Participants performed six countermovement jumps without (PRE) and with (POST) fatigue during a control (CON), a placebo (PLA), and a CAFF session, with a 7-day wash-out between sessions. Performance and biomechanical variables were considered the primary outcomes.
Results: The fourteen athletes were included in the analyses. CAFF did not significantly affect the analyzed variables. Compared to CON, PLA increased knee valgus at the initial contact of the landing of the left leg (d=0.82) and the duration of the propulsive phase (d=0.76). Compared to CON PRE, propulsive duration was also greater in PLA PRE, PLA POST, and CAFF POST (d=1.19-1.45). Fatigue decreased knee valgus at the deepest landing position (d=0.48-0.50) and increased knee varus range of motion (d=0.52-0.68) in both legs, increased braking phase duration (d=0.65), reduced relative peak power (d=0.73), and decreased jump height (d=0.26).
Discussion: The lack of an effect of CAFF on performance contrasts with previous evidence, whereas the impact of PLA could reflect a nocebo effect.
Conclusions: CAFF was not ergogenic for countermovement jump height and did not appear to affect its biomechanics. However, compared to CON, PLA adversely influenced some outcomes. Fatigue also affected some of these variables in a complex manner.
This trial was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials (NCT06039358).
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