Next Article in Journal
Impact of Somatosensory Training on Neural and Functional Recovery of Lower Extremity in Patients with Chronic Stroke: A Single Blind Controlled Randomized Trial
Next Article in Special Issue
Effects of Beetroot Juice Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Aerobic and Anaerobic Performances of Trained Male Taekwondo Athletes: A Pilot Study
Previous Article in Journal
Our Relationship to Water and Experience of Water Insecurity among Apsáalooke (Crow Indian) People, Montana
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Acute Effects of Caffeine Intake on Psychological Responses and High-Intensity Exercise Performance

by
Raúl Domínguez
1,2,3,
Pablo Veiga-Herreros
4,
Antonio Jesús Sánchez-Oliver
5,
Juan José Montoya
6,
Juan José Ramos-Álvarez
6,
Francisco Miguel-Tobal
6,
Ángel Lago-Rodríguez
7,* and
Pablo Jodra
8
1
Centro Adscrito a la Universidad de Sevilla, Escuela Universitaria de Osuna, 41640 Osuna, Spain
2
Departamento de Educación Física y Deporte, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
3
Studies Research Group in Neuromuscular Responses (GEPREN), University of Lavras, 37200-000 Lavras, Brazil
4
Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio, 28691 Madrid, Spain
5
Departmento de Motricidad Humana y Rendimiento Deportivo, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
6
Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine of Physical Education and Sport, Madrid Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain
7
Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Isabel I, 09004 Burgos, Spain
8
Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Alcalá, 19001 Guadalajara, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(2), 584; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18020584
Submission received: 25 November 2020 / Revised: 23 December 2020 / Accepted: 7 January 2021 / Published: 12 January 2021

Abstract

:
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeine supplementation on: (i) psychological responses of subjective vitality and mood; (ii) performance through a Wingate test; and (iii) rate of perceived exertion (RPE) reported after a Wingate test. Methods: Fifteen male participants (22.60 ± 2.16 years) ingested 6 mg·kg-1 of caffeine or placebo (sucrose) supplementation in two experimental sessions. After 60 min from supplement intake, participants fulfilled two questionnaires, which measured subjective vitality and mood state, respectively. Subsequently, participants’ performance was assessed through a Wingate test, which was followed by measurements of RPE at general, muscular, or cardiovascular level. Results: Caffeine supplementation increased some components of mood, as assessed by profile of mood states (POMS) (tension and vigor dimensions) and subjective vitality profiles, which were followed by a greater maximum power, average power, and lower time needed to reach maximum power during the Wingate test. Moreover, lower RPE, both at muscular and general levels were reported by participants after the Wingate test. Conclusions: These results suggest that caffeine supplementation exerts positive effects both in psychological and physical domains in trained subjects.

1. Introduction

A performance improvement of the order of 1.6% makes the difference between the gold medalist and the athlete finishing at fourth place at the Olympic Games [1]. This performance feature at maximum competitive level might explain the high prevalence of sport supplements consumption among athletes. Among currently available sports supplements, caffeine consumption has increased considerably since 2004, when it was removed from the list of banned substances for sports [2] based on its ergogenic effect [3]. Initially, in the 1970s, the ergogenic effect of caffeine was attributed to enhanced lipolysis and enhanced muscle glycogen spare [4]. Currently, caffeine’s ergogenic effect is explained by its antagonistic role on adenosine receptors [5]. Being similar in structure to adenosine, caffeine has the capacity of blocking adenosine receptors A1, A2a, and A2b [6]. Since there are numerous adenosine receptors at the neuromuscular level [7], caffeine increases neuromuscular recruitment [8], whereas at the muscular level, caffeine induces calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and can also inhibit its reuptake [9], resulting in translocation of glycogen phosphorylase b into isoform a, via an increased calcium bioavailability [10]. Furthermore, caffeine also increases the activity of the enzyme phosphofructokinase, thereby maximizing glycolysis activity [11].
Interestingly, athletic performance may be enhanced not only through peripheral mechanisms, but also via central mechanisms [12]. At a central level, thanks to its antagonistic role on adenosine receptors [5], caffeine counteracts the inhibitory function of adenosine on the release of several excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain [13], particularly dopamine [14], thus alleviating the effect of adenosine on the excitatory activity of the central nervous system [5]. Therefore, caffeine may alleviate the effects of adenosine on increased feelings of lack of energy, increased rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and subjective tiredness and fatigue [15]. Since caffeine also increases the release of some excitatory neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and noradrenaline [16], a potential central ergogenic effect for caffeine supplementation has been considered [12], with caffeine supplementation having a positive incidence on mood [17,18], increasing alertness level and reducing the feeling of fatigue [19,20].
Cognitive function plays an important role in athletic performance [21]. It has been observed that caffeine supplementation leads to a more favorable mood profile [17,18], which positively influences exercise performance [22] and reduces RPE during exercise [23,24]. However, most of the studies performed on caffeine supplementation have mainly focused on its ergogenic effects on physical performance in exercises that predominantly rely on the oxidative metabolism, such as endurance sport modalities [25,26], as well as sport modalities where performance relies on a mixed metabolism, such as racquet sport [27], combat sports [28], or team sports [29]. Nevertheless, there is growing interest in the effects of caffeine supplementation on exercises predominantly relying on the glycolytic metabolism. In this regard, the Wingate test is one of the most valid and reliable tools used for measuring anaerobic performance [30], since it allows to evaluate muscle capacity to generate power through anaerobic energy systems [31]. Interestingly, an ergogenic effect of caffeine supplementation on a Wingate test has been recently reported [32]. However, only few studies have directly analyzed the effects of caffeine supplementation at the psychological level. Considering a more integrative approach, the aim of this study was to examine the acute effects of caffeine intake on: (i) psychological responses of subjective vitality and mood; (ii) physical performance during a high-intensity, highly glycolytic exercise test (Wingate); and (iii) RPE reported after the Wingate test.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Participants

A total of 15 male volunteers (age: 22.60 ± 2.16 years; height: 1.77 ± 0.04 m; mass: 78.11 ± 10.63 kg; body mass index: 24.99 ± 2.61 kg/m2) participated in this study. All participants were undergraduate students in the Physical Activity and Sport Sciences program and had resistance training experience. Participation was voluntary, with the following inclusion criteria established in an information session: (a) having completed at least three sessions per week of strength training within the past 18 months; (b) a bench press one-repetition maximum (1 RM) greater than body weight, and full squat 1 RM 1.5 times body weight; (c) no nutritional supplements taken in the three months before the study onset; (d) no smoking; (e) no cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, neurological, or orthopedic disorders that could affect cycle ergometer performance; (f) not considered an elite athlete; and (g) experience with the Wingate test, having performed at least one test within 3 months before study onset. During the information session, participants were informed about the aim and procedures of the study, including the diet to be followed and caffeine intake, and then signed written consent to participate in the study. The study protocol was approved by a local Ethics Committee.

2.2. Study Design

The study design was randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design. Subjects were randomized in a 1:1 ratio using a computer-generated randomization (Research Randomizer, www.randomizer.org) either to a group starting session 1 with caffeine supplementation or with placebo. Experimental sessions were performed in the Exercise Physiology laboratory 72 h apart. The sessions were scheduled at the same time of day (±0.5 h) to avoid possible circadian rhythm effects. Subjects were instructed to refrain from any type of physical exercise for 72 h before the first session and until the end of the study.
Upon arrival at the laboratory for each session, participants were given a caffeine or placebo supplement. Sixty minutes after the intake of the supplement, they completed the questionnaires profile of mood states (POMS) and subjective vitality scale (SVS). Following the questionnaires, and a brief warm-up, participants performed a Wingate test on a cycle ergometer (Ergomedic 828E, Monark Exercise AB, Vansbro, Sweden). Immediately after the test, they graded their exertion using a standardized rate of perceived exertion (RPE) scale [33].

2.3. Supplementation Protocol and Diet Control

Subjects arrived at the laboratory 75 min before initiating the Wingate test. As soon as they arrived, they were provided with either the caffeine supplement (6 mg·kg−1) or placebo (6 mg·kg−1 of sucrose). Caffeine supplements were provided in #1 non-transparent red capsules (Guinama S.L.U, 0044634, La Pobla de Valbona, Spain). Capsules were prepared following the standard work procedure using a semiautomatic manual filling machine Capsunorm 2000 (Tecny-Farma SLU, Miranda de Ebro, Spain). The timing of supplement intake was based on the fact that peak blood caffeine levels are reached one hour post-ingestion [34] and on the results of a disaggregation quality assay of 13.4 min.
As nutritional intake affects energy, participants were provided with detailed dietary instructions to follow from the beginning of session 1 to the completion of session 2. These instructions were important to ensure that participants had a similar macronutrients diet composition (60% carbohydrates, 30% lipids and 10% proteins) during the study. Caffeine intake was also restricted 24 h before the study onset and the subjects were provided with a list of foodstuffs rich in caffeine (coffee, tea, mate, energizing drinks, cola drinks, chocolate drinks, and chocolate) they should avoid. Participants were instructed to record their food intake for 48 h prior to the first supplementation trial and to reproduce it prior to the second supplementation trial.

2.4. Profile of Mood States (POMS)

To assess participants’ mood, the profile of mood states (POMS) questionnaire was used in its reduced version [35], translated into Spanish and validated by Fuentes et al. (1995) [36]. Participants graded a set of 29 adjectives items related to mood on a Likert scale from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely) in reply to the question “How do you feel at this moment?” to assess six scales: tension, depression, anger, vigor, fatigue, and confusion.

2.5. Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS)

Participants’ vitality was assessed using the Spanish version [37] of the subjective vitality scale (SVS) [38]. Subjects were required to indicate their agreement with seven statements related to subjective feelings of energy and vitality using a 7-point Likert scale, where 1 meant “total disagreement” and 7 meant “total agreement”.

2.6. Wingate Test

A Monark cycle ergometer (Ergomedic 828E, Monark Exercise AB, Vansbro, Sweden) was used for the Wingate test. Subjects performed a standardized warm-up [39,40], consisting of 5 min of initial light cycling with the workload and cadence set by the subject, which was followed by 1 min of rest, and then 3 min of pedaling at a rate of 60 revolutions per minute, with a workload of 2 N·m·kg−1 and a sprint at maximum intensity in the last 5-s of each minute. After 2 min of rest, the Wingate test was started.
The Wingate test consisted of 30 s of cycling at maximum effort with a load (N·m·kg−1) corresponding to 7.5% of the subject’s body weight. Participants were instructed: (i) to reach the maximum revolutions per minute in the shortest time possible; and (ii) try to maintain this pedaling speed until the end of the test.
Power was recorded during each second of the test. The following variables were subsequently calculated: the highest power value recorded during the test or peak power, the time in seconds taken to reach maximum power, mean power for the test duration, and minimum power measured as the lowest value recorded during the last 10 s of the test.

2.7. Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)

In line with previous research [41,42], a 6 to 20 RPE scale of Borg (1978) [33] was presented as soon as participants finished the Wingate test. Accordingly, participants were first asked to report RPE regarding perceived exertion at legs (RPEmuscular); second, participants were asked to report RPE only at cardiorespiratory level (RPEcardio); and finally, participants had to declare global RPE (RPEgeneral), which included features from both muscular and cardiorespiratory levels.

2.8. Statistical Analysis

All data are provided as mean (M) ± standard deviation (SD). The normality of the data collected was first established using the Shapiro–Wilk test. A Student’s t-test for related samples was used to compare values from the two experimental conditions (caffeine vs. placebo) for variables showing a normal distribution. For not-normally distributed data, the Wilcoxon test for paired data was used. Additionally, effect sizes (ES) were calculated through Cohen’s d as: large (d > 0.8), moderate (d = 0.8 to 0.5), small (d = 0.5 to 0.2), and trivial (d < 0.2). Significance was set at p < 0.05. All statistical tests were performed using the software package SPSS version 19.0 (IBM SPSS Statistics, Chicago, Illinois, USA).

3. Results

After caffeine supplementation, higher values were observed for the subjective vitality scale scores (+7.41%, 38.67 ± 4.37 vs. 36.00 ± 5.77, t14 = −2.53, p = 0.024, ES = 0.54) (see Figure 1), and for the dimensions tension (+88.89%, 6.80 ± 5.78 vs. 3.60 ± 2.90, z = −2.911, p = 0.004, ES = 0.72) and vigor (+7.73%, 13.00 ± 3.07 vs. 12.07 ± 3.28, z = −1.412, p = 0.15, ES = 0.3) from the POMS questionnaire (Table 1).
In the Wingate test, an improvement of +2.87% for Wmax (11.72 ± 0.85 W/kg vs. 11.39 ± 0.98 W/kg, z = −2.062, p = 0.039, ES = 0.37) and of +2.29% for Wavg (8.97 ± 0.70 W/kg vs. 8.77 ± 0.63 W/kg, t14 = −2.45, p = 0.028, ES = 0.31) was observed, without changes in Wmin (−1.8%, 6.09 ± 1.09 W/kg, vs. 6.20 ± 0.81 W/kg, t14 = 0.49, p = 0.632, ES = 0.12) after caffeine supplementation (see Figure 2). In addition, it was noted that under the caffeine condition, subjects showed a significantly lower T_Wmax (−19.08%, 7.07 ± 1.33 s vs. 8.73 ± 1.49 s, z = −3.108, p = 0.002, ES = 1.22).
Regarding RPE, lower values for RPEmuscular (−2.52%, 18.07 ± 1.16 vs. 18.53 ± 0.92, t14 = 2.824, p = 0.014, ES = 0.45) and RPEgeneral (−2.54%, 17.93 ± 1.22 vs. 18.40 ± 0.91, z = −2.11, p = 0.035, ES = 0.45) were registered after caffeine supplementation, compared to placebo, whereas no differences were observed for RPEcardio (−2.22%, 17.6 ± 1.55, vs. 18.0 ± 1.46, t14 = 0.878, p = 0.395, ES = 0.27) (see Figure 3).

4. Discussion

This study investigated the effects of caffeine supplementation on psychological (subjective vitality, mood, and RPE) and performance outcomes during a highly glycolytic task (Wingate test). The main findings of this research provide evidence of an ergogenic effect of caffeine supplementation on physical performance (improving Wmax, Wavg, and T_Wmax), subjective vitality, mood profile (tension and vigor), and RPE (RPEmuscular and RPEgeneral).
Greater tension values reported in the present study after caffeine supplementation are in line with previous observations in judokas [43,44,45], female team-game players [20], and elite and well-trained recreational athletes [41]. Although it has been previously suggested that greater tension values observed after a large caffeine dose could lead to anxiety-mediated negative effects on performance [46], it may also reflect an optimization of an athlete’s state of preparation to tackle a physical test, since the association between tension and performance follows an inverted U-shaped function, whereby extreme low and high tension levels are detrimental to elicit the individual’s optimal performance zone [47]. In this regard, higher predisposition to approaching a task has been previously observed in subjects reporting greater tension values after caffeine supplementation [20,48,49,50]. Subjective vitality is associated with feelings of personal energy, and the enthusiasm towards an activity [38], and it is a consequence of autonomously-motivated behavior [51]. Results from the present study show greater SVS after caffeine supplementation, which is in agreement with observations from Da Silva et al. (2015) [52], who reported that caffeine supplementation increased an athlete’s readiness to invest in mental effort. Altogether, results found for SVS and tension suggest that caffeine supplementation leads to an optimal emotional state to approach a physical task, which may be mediated via augmented tension [42]. Furthermore, this favorable mood state was followed by a performance enhancement at the beginning of the Wingate test, increasing Wmax (+11.7%) and T_Wmax (−19.1%). In this regard, an effect of caffeine supplementation on mood (i.e., higher tension) followed by an enhanced Wmax and T_Wmax in a Wingate test has been previously reported [41,42]. Improvements observed for Wmax and T_Wmax could be mediated by peripheral effects, such as calcium potentiation in the myoplasm [9], which can influence myosin–actin interaction [42], and an enhanced motor unit recruitment and synchronization [53,54]; although the improved mood profile observed in this study might also explain higher power values observed at the beginning of the Wingate test.
Along with improvements on Wmax and T_Wmax, higher Wavg (+2.3%) was also observed in the present study after acute caffeine supplementation, which is in line with previous reports [32,41,54]. Given that the Wingate test leads to high glycolytic demands, thus leading to great fatigue [32,55,56], the increased Wavg after caffeine supplementation may be mediated by an indirect enhancement of the glycolytic metabolism via an increased activity of the enzyme phosphofructokinase or a stimulation of catecholamine production [11]. However, these results may be also partially mediated by the greater vigor level (+7.8%) observed in the present study after caffeine supplementation, which is in line with previous studies reporting improved vigor and time to exhaustion at an intensity of 80%VO2max [57], or the maximal number of repetitions with a load of 60% 1RM [58].
Greater performance for the Wingate test was accompanied by lower RPEmuscular and RPEgeneral. These results are in line with previous research on the effects of caffeine supplementation, which reported a reduction in the relative RPE/velocity in a gradual progressive test [59], and lower RPE after a training session of 30 [60] and 90 min [61] at an intensity corresponding to 70% VO2max. Thus, caffeine seems to modify the relationship between workload and RPE, which could contribute to the Wavg improvement observed in the present study. Attending to the central governor theory [62], physiological responses are monitored via afferent feedback and regulated through subsequent efferent input to appropriate control systems. At a central level, an accumulation of adenosine in the cortex could lead to fatigue [63,64] as a result of a diminished activity of the central nervous system [5], which would in turn increase RPE. Thus, blocking the adenosine receptors in the central nervous system via caffeine supplementation may contribute to the observed ergogenic effect [65], counteracting the negative effect of adenosine on central fatigue. Additionally, caffeine improves the tissue oxygen extraction and reduces the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption [66]. Since reduced blood flow to the brain during exercise has been identified as a factor promoting fatigue [67], the effect of caffeine supplementation on RPEgeneral observed in the present study could be partially mediated by caffeine’s impact on cerebral oxygenation. Besides, the decrease of RPEmuscular after caffeine supplementation is in line with previous observations on participants cycling to fatigue [68]. Since caffeine’s antinociceptive properties justify its inclusion in several analgesic preparations [69], caffeine’s analgesic effect has been suggested to reduce pain during exercise, thus leading to reduced RPEmuscular [60]. Therefore, the effect of caffeine supplementation on RPEmuscular observed in the present study could be partially mediated by caffeine’s analgesic effect.
The present study has some limitations. First, although the Wingate test is a valid and reliable tool for measuring anaerobic performance [30], which allows to evaluate muscle capacity to generate power through anaerobic energy systems [31], blood lactate concentration should have been assessed as an indicator of glycolytic activity [70,71]. Second, since performance of habitual caffeine consumers may be affected when deprived from caffeine [72], participants’ habitual caffeine consumption should have been registered, and accounted for in the statistical analysis. Furthermore, caffeine consumption is different according to the sports modality practiced [73,74]; this could have conditioned the previous use of this supplement in the different subjects of the sample and, therefore their response to it. Finally, a baseline measure for mood profile and subjective perception of vitality was not performed at each experimental session, and so it should be noted when interpreting the results of the present study.

5. Conclusions

Our findings indicate that acute caffeine supplementation in trained subjects has positive effects on several psychophysiological mood variables and psychological responses, and on performance. Caffeine supplementation increases tension, vigor, and subjective perception of vitality, while it reduces RPEgeneral and RPEmuscular. These responses favor an optimal psychological state that was accompanied by the ergogenic effect observed for performance variables such as Wmax, Wavg, and T_Wmax.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, R.D., P.V.-H., Á.L.-R., and P.J.; Data curation, J.J.M., J.J.R.-Á., and F.M.-T.; Formal analysis, J.J.R.-Á.; Investigation, J.J.M., J.J.R.-Á., and F.M.-T.; Methodology, P.V.-H., A.J.S.-O., Á.L.-R.; Software, J.J.M.; Writing—original draft, R.D., P.V.-H., A.J.S.-O., Á.L.-R., and P.J.; Writing—review & editing, J.J.M., J.J.R.-Á., and F.M.-T. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This study was part of the project RECAFP of the VI Convocatoria de Ayudas a la Investigación UCJC.

Institutional Review Board Statement

The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki, and approved by the Ethics Committee of Faculty of Health Sciences of Alfonso X El Sabio University (12-01-2017).

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.

Data Availability Statement

The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to restrictions privacy.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

  1. Mujika, I.; Padilla, S.; Pyne, D. Swimming Performance Changes During the Final 3 Weeks of Training Leading to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Int. J. Sports Med. 2002, 23, 582–587. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  2. Aguilar-Navarro, M.; Muñoz, G.; Salinero, J.J.; Muñoz-Guerra, J.; Fernández-álvarez, M.; Plata, M.D.M.; Del Coso, J. Urine caffeine concentration in doping control samples from 2004 to 2015. Nutrients 2019, 11, 286. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  3. Maughan, R.J.; Burke, L.M.; Dvorak, J.; Larson-Meyer, D.E.; Peeling, P.; Phillips, S.M.; Rawson, E.S.; Walsh, N.P.; Garthe, I.; Geyer, H.; et al. IOC consensus statement: Dietary supplements and the high-performance athlete. Int. J. Sports Nutr. Exerc. Metab. 2018, 28, 104–125. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  4. Costill, D.L.; Dalsky, G.P.; Fink, W.J. Effects of caffeine ingestion on metabolism and exercise performance. Med. Sci. Sports 1978, 10, 155–158. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
  5. Davis, J.M.; Zhao, Z.; Stock, H.S.; Mehl, K.A.; Buggy, J.; Hand, G.A. Central nervous system effects of caffeine and adenosine on fatigue. Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol. 2003, 284, R399–R404. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  6. Abo-Salem, O.M.; Hayallah, A.M.; Bilkei-Gorzo, A.; Filipek, B.; Zimmer, A.; Müller, C.E. Antinociceptive Effects of Novel A2B Adenosine Receptor Antagonists. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 2004, 308, 358–366. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  7. Woolf, K.; Bidwell, W.K.; Carlson, A.G. The effect of caffeine as an ergogenic aid in anaerobic exercise. Int. J. Sport Nutr. Exerc. Metab. 2008, 18, 412–429. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  8. Tarnopolsky, M.A. Effect of caffeine on the neuromuscular system—Potential as an ergogenic aid. Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 2008, 33, 1284–1289. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  9. Cappelletti, S.; Daria, P.; Sani, G.; Aromatario, M. Caffeine: Cognitive and Physical Performance Enhancer or Psychoactive Drug? Curr. Neuropharmacol. 2014, 13, 71–88. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  10. Anselme, F.; Collomp, K.; Mercier, B.; Ahmaïdi, S.; Prefaut, C. Caffeine increases maximal anaerobic power and blood lactate concentration. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. Occup. Physiol. 1992, 65, 188–191. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  11. Bridge, C.A.; Jones, M.A. The effect of caffeine ingestion on 8 km run performance in a field setting. J. Sports Sci. 2006, 24, 433–439. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  12. Davis, J.K.; Green, J.M. Caffeine and anaerobic performance. Sports Med. 2009, 29, 813–832. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  13. Meeusen, R.; Decroix, L. Nutritional supplements and the brain. Int. J. Sport Nutr. Exerc. Metab. 2018, 28, 200–211. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  14. Ribeiro, J.A.; Sebastião, A.M.; De Mendonça, A. Adenosine receptors in the nervous system: Pathophysiological implications. Prog. Neurobiol. 2002, 68, 377–392. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  15. Meeusen, R.; Van Cutsem, J.; Roelands, B. Endurance exercise-induced and mental fatigue and the brain. Exp. Physiol. 2020. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  16. Ferré, S.; Fredholm, B.B.; Morelli, M.; Popoli, P.; Fuxe, K. Adenosine-dopamine receptor-receptor interactions as an integrative mechanism in the basal ganglia. Trends Neurosci. 1997, 20, 482–487. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  17. Sökmen, B.; Armstrong, L.E.; Kraemer, W.J.; Casa, D.J.; Dias, J.C.; Judelson, D.A.; Maresh, C.M. Caffeine use in sports: Considerations for the athlete. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2008, 22, 978–986. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  18. Berger, B.G.; Motl, R.W. Exercise and mood: A selective review and synthesis of research employing the profile of mood states. J. Appl. Sport Psychol. 2000, 12, 69–92. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  19. Smith, A. Effects of caffeine on human behavior. Food Chem. Toxicol. 2002, 40, 1243–1255. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  20. Ali, A.; O’Donnell, J.; Von Hurst, P.; Foskett, A.; Holland, S.; Starck, C.; Rutherfurd-Markwick, K. Caffeine ingestion enhances perceptual responses during intermittent exercise in female team-game players. J. Sports Sci. 2016, 34, 330–341. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  21. Meeusen, R. Exercise, nutrition and the brain. Sports Med. 2014, 44, S47–S56. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  22. Acevedo, E.O.; Gill, D.L.; Goldfarb, A.H.; Boyer, B.T. Affect and perceived exertion during a two-hour run. Int. J. Sport Psychol. 1996, 27, 286–292. [Google Scholar]
  23. Spriet, L.L. Exercise and Sport Performance with Low Doses of Caffeine. Sport. Med. 2014, 44, 175–184. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  24. Astorino, T.A.; Cottrell, T.; Talhami Lozano, A.; Aburto-Pratt, K.; Duhon, J. Effect of caffeine on RPE and perceptions of pain, arousal, and pleasure/displeasure during a cycling time trial in endurance trained and active men. Physiol. Behav. 2012, 106, 211–217. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  25. Southward, K.; Rutherfurd-Markwick, K.J.; Ali, A. The Effect of Acute Caffeine Ingestion on Endurance Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta–Analysis. Sport. Med. 2018, 48, 1913–1928. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  26. Grgic, J.; Diaz-Lara, F.J.; Del Coso, J.; Duncan, M.J.; Tallis, J.; Pickering, C.; Schoenfeld, B.J.; Mikulic, P. The effects of caffeine ingestion on measures of rowing performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients 2020, 12, 434. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  27. Vicente-Salar, N.; Santos-Sánchez, G.; Roche, E. Nutritional ergogenic aids in racquet sports: A systematic review. Nutrients 2020, 12, 2842. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  28. López-González, L.M.; Sánchez-Oliver, A.J.; Mata, F.; Jodra, P.; Antonio, J.; Domínguez, R. Acute caffeine supplementation in combat sports: A systematic review. J. Int. Soc. Sports Nutr. 2018, 15, 60. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  29. Salinero, J.J.; Lara, B.; Del Coso, J. Effects of acute ingestion of caffeine on team sports performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Res. Sports Med. 2019, 27, 238–256. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  30. Enoka, R.M.; Duchateau, J. Translating fatigue to human performance. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2016, 48, 2228–2238. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  31. Patton, J.F.; Murphy, M.M.; Frederick, F.A. Maximal power outputs during the Wingate anaerobic test. Int. J. Sports Med. 1985, 6, 82–85. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  32. Grgic, J. Caffeine ingestion enhances Wingate performance: A meta-analysis. Eur. J. Sport Sci. 2018, 18, 219–225. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  33. Borg, G. Subjective effort and physical abilities. Scand. J. Rehabil. Med. Suppl. 1978, 6, 105–113. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
  34. McLellan, T.M.; Caldwell, J.A.; Lieberman, H.R. A review of caffeine’s effects on cognitive, physical and occupational performance. Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 2016, 71, 294–312. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  35. McNair, D.M.; Lorr, M.; Droppleman, L.F. Revised Manual for the Profile of Mood States; Educational and Industrial Testing Services: San Diego, CA, USA, 1992. [Google Scholar]
  36. Fuentes, I.; Balaguer, I.; Meliá, J.L.; García-Merita, M. Forma abreviada del Perfil de Estado de Ánimo (POMS). In V Congreso Nacional de Psicología de la Actividad Física y el Deporte; Universitat de València: Valencia, Spain, 1995. [Google Scholar]
  37. Balaguer, I.; Castillo, I.; García-Mertia, M.; Mars, I. Implications of structured extracurricular activities on adolescent’s well being and risk behaviors: Motivational mechanisms. In Proceedings of the 9th European Congress of Psychology, Granada, Spain, 3–8 July 2005; Universidad de Granada: Granada, Spain, 2005. [Google Scholar]
  38. Ryan, R.M.; Frederick, C. On Energy, Personality, and Health: Subjective Vitality as a Dynamic Reflection of Well-Being. J. Pers. 1997, 65, 529–565. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  39. Domínguez, R.; Garnacho-Castaño, M.; Cuenca, E.; García-Fernández, P.; Muñoz-González, A.; de Jesús, F.; Lozano-Estevan, M.; Fernandes da Silva, S.; Veiga-Herreros, P.; Maté-Muñoz, J.; et al. Effects of Beetroot Juice Supplementation on a 30-s High-Intensity Inertial Cycle Ergometer Test. Nutrients 2017, 9, 1360. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  40. Cuenca, E.; Jodra, P.; Pérez-López, A.; González-Rodríguez, L.; Fernandes da Silva, S.; Veiga-Herreros, P.; Domínguez, R. Effects of Beetroot Juice Supplementation on Performance and Fatigue in a 30-s All-Out Sprint Exercise: A Randomized, Double-Blind Cross-Over Study. Nutrients 2018, 10, 1222. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  41. Jodra, P.; Lago-Rodríguez, A.; Sánchez-Oliver, A.J.; López-Samanes, A.; Pérez-López, A.; Veiga-Herreros, P.; San Juan, A.F.; Domínguez, R. Effects of caffeine supplementation on physical performance and mood dimensions in elite and trained-recreational athletes. J. Int. Soc. Sports Nutr. 2020, 17, 2. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  42. Jodra, P.; Domínguez, R.; Sánchez-Oliver, A.J.; Veiga-Herreros, P.; Bailey, S.J. Effect of Beetroot Juice Supplementation on Mood, Perceived Exertion and Performance During a 30 s Wingate Test. Int. J. Sports Physiol. Perform. 2020, 15, 243–248. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  43. Souissi, M.; Abedelmalek, S.; Chtourou, H.; Atheymen, R.; Hakim, A.; Sahnoun, Z. Effects of morning caffeine’ ingestion on mood States, simple reaction time, and short-term maximal performance on elite judoists. Asian J. Sports Med. 2012, 3, 161–168. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  44. Souissi, M.; Abedelmalek, S.; Chtourou, H.; Boussita, A.; Hakim, A.; Sahnoun, Z. Effects of time-of-day and caffeine ingestion on mood states, simple reaction time, and short-term maximal performance in elite judoists. Biol. Rhythm Res. 2013, 44, 897–907. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  45. Souissi, M.; Aloui, A.; Chtourou, H.; Aouicha, H.B.; Atheymen, R.; Sahnoun, Z. Caffeine ingestion does not affect afternoon muscle power and fatigue during the Wingate test in elite judo players. Biol. Rhythm Res. 2015, 46, 291–298. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  46. Green, P.; Suls, J. The effects of caffeine on ambulatory blood pressure, heart rate, and mood in coffee drinkers. J. Behav. Med. 1996, 19, 111–128. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  47. Robazza, C.; Pellizzari, M.; Bertollo, M.; Hanin, Y.L. Functional impact of emotions on athletic performance: Comparing the IZOF model and the directional perception approach. J. Sports Sci. 2008, 26, 1033–1047. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  48. Smith, A.P.; Clark, R.; Gallagher, J. Breakfast cereal and caffeinated coffee: Effects on working memory, attention, mood, and cardiovascular function. Physiol. Behav. 1999, 67, 9–17. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  49. Nehlig, A. Is caffeine a cognitive enhancer? J. Alzheimer’s Dis. 2010, 20, S85–S94. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  50. Hanin, Y.L. Emotions and Athletic performance: Individual zones of optimal functioning model. Eur. Yearb. Sport Psychol. 1997, 1, 29–72. [Google Scholar]
  51. Muraven, M.; Gagné, M.; Rosman, H. Helpful self-control: Autonomy support, vitality, and depletion. J. Exp. Soc. Psychol. 2008, 44, 573–585. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  52. Da Silva, V.L.; Messias, F.R.; Zanchi, N.E.; Gerlinger-Romero, F.; Duncan, M.J.; Guimarães-Ferreira, L. Effects of Acute caffeine ingestion on resistance training performance and perceptual responses during repeated sets to failure. J. Sports Med. Phys. Fitness 2015, 55, 383–389. [Google Scholar]
  53. Plaskett, C.J.; Cafarelli, E. Caffeine increases endurance and attenuates force sensation during submaximal isometric contractions. J. Appl. Physiol. 2001, 91, 1535–1544. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  54. Bazzucchi, I.; Felici, F.; Montini, M.; Figura, F.; Sacchetti, M. Caffeine improves neuromuscular function during maximal dynamic exercise. Muscle Nerve 2011, 43, 839–844. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  55. Doherty, M.; Smith, P.M.; Hughes, M.G.; Davison, R.C.R. Caffeine lowers perceptual response and increases power output during high-intensity cycling. J. Sports Sci. 2004, 22, 637–643. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  56. Bar-Or, O. The Wingate Anaerobic Test an Update on Methodology, Reliability and Validity. Sports Med. 1987, 4, 381–394. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  57. Azevedo, R.; Silva-Cavalcante, M.D.; Gualano, B.; Lima-Silva, A.E.; Bertuzzi, R. Effects of caffeine ingestion on endurance performance in mentally fatigued individuals. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 2016, 116, 2293–2303. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  58. Duncan, M.J.; Oxford, S.W. The effect of caffeine ingestion on mood state and bench press performance to failure. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2011, 25, 178–185. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  59. Glaister, M.; Williams, B.H.; Muniz-Pumares, D.; Balsalobre-Fernández, C.; Foley, P. The effects of caffeine supplementation on physiological responses to submaximal exercise in endurance-trained men. PLoS ONE 2016, 11, e0161375. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  60. Killen, L.G.; Green, J.M.; O’Neal, E.K.; McIntosh, J.R.; Hornsby, J.; Coates, T.E. Effects of caffeine on session ratings of perceived exertion. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 2013, 113, 721–727. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  61. Backhouse, S.H.; Biddle, S.J.H.; Bishop, N.C.; Williams, C. Caffeine ingestion, affect and perceived exertion during prolonged cycling. Appetite 2011, 57, 247–252. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  62. Noakes, T.D.; St. Clair Gibson, A.; Lambert, E.V. From catastrophe to complexity: A novel model of integrative central neural regulation of effort and fatigue during exercise in humans. Br. J. Sports Med. 2004, 38, 511–514. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  63. Rozand, V.; Pageaux, B.; Marcora, S.M.; Papaxanthis, C.; Lepers, R. Does mental exertion alter maximal muscle activation? Front. Hum. Neurosci. 2014, 8, 1–10. [Google Scholar]
  64. Pageaux, B.; Marcora, S.M.; Rozand, V.; Lepers, R. Mental fatigue induced by prolonged self-regulation does not exacerbate central fatigue during subsequent whole-body endurance exercise. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 2015, 25, 67. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  65. Smith, A.; Sutherland, D.; Christopher, G. Effects of repeated doses of caffeine on mood and performance of alert and fatigued volunteers. J. Psychopharmacol. 2005, 19, 620–626. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  66. Merola, A.; Germuska, M.A.; Warnert, E.A.; Richmond, L.; Helme, D.; Khot, S.; Murphy, K.; Rogers, P.J.; Hall, J.E.; Wise, R.G. Mapping the pharmacological modulation of brain oxygen metabolism: The effects of caffeine on absolute CMRO2 measured using dual calibrated fMRI. Neuroimage 2017, 155, 331–343. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  67. Rooks, C.R.; Thom, N.J.; McCully, K.K.; Dishman, R.K.; Rooks, C.R.; Thom, N.J.; McCully, K.K.; Dishman, R.K. Effects of Incremental Exercise on Cerebral Oxygenation Measured by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy: A Systematic Review. Prog. Neurobiol. 2010, 92, 134–150. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  68. Motl, R.W.; O’Connor, P.J.; Tubandt, L.; Puetz, T.; Ely, M.R. Effect of caffeine on leg muscle pain during cycling exercise among females. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2006, 38, 598–604. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  69. Laska, E.; Sunshine, A.; Wanderling, J.; Meisner, M. Quantitative Differences in Aspirin Analgesia in Three Models of Clinical Pain. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 1982, 22, 531–542. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  70. Domínguez, R.; Garnacho-Castaño, M.V.; Maté-Muñoz, J.L. Metodología de determinación de la transición aeróbica-anaeróbica en la evaluación funcional. Arch. Med. Deporte 2015, 32, 395–401. [Google Scholar]
  71. Meyer, T.; Lucía, A.; Earnest, C.P.; Kindermann, W. A conceptual framework for performance diagnosis and training prescription from submaximal gas exchange parameters—Theory and application. Int. J. Sports Med. 2005, 26, S38–S48. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  72. Filip, A.; Wilk, M.; Krzysztofik, M.; Del Coso, J. Inconsistency in the ergogenic effect of caffeine in athletes who regularly consume caffeine: Is it due to the disparity in the criteria that defines habitual caffeine intake? Nutrients 2020, 12, 1087. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  73. Muñoz, A.; López-Samanes, Á.; Domínguez, R.; Moreno-Pérez, V.; Jesús Sánchez-Oliver, A.; Del Coso, J. Use of Sports Supplements in Competitive Handball Players: Sex and Competitive Level Differences. Nutrients 2020, 12, 3357. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  74. Sánchez-Oliver, A.J.; Domínguez, R.; López-Tapia, P.; Tobal, F.M.; Jodra, P.; Montoya, J.J.; Guerra-Hernández, E.J.; Ramos-Álvarez, J.J. A Survey on Dietary Supplement Consumption in Amateur and Professional Rugby Players. Foods 2021, 10, 7. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Figure 1. Mean subjective vitality scale (SVS) scores (thick line) and scores recorded in each participant (dotted lines). PLAC: placebo group; CAFF: caffeine supplementation group. * Significant difference between caffeine and placebo (p < 0.05).
Figure 1. Mean subjective vitality scale (SVS) scores (thick line) and scores recorded in each participant (dotted lines). PLAC: placebo group; CAFF: caffeine supplementation group. * Significant difference between caffeine and placebo (p < 0.05).
Ijerph 18 00584 g001
Figure 2. Power (W/kg) variables Wmax, Wavg, and Wmin recorded under placebo and caffeine experimental conditions. PLAC: placebo group; CAFF: caffeine supplementation group. * Significant difference for placebo vs. caffeine (p < 0.05).
Figure 2. Power (W/kg) variables Wmax, Wavg, and Wmin recorded under placebo and caffeine experimental conditions. PLAC: placebo group; CAFF: caffeine supplementation group. * Significant difference for placebo vs. caffeine (p < 0.05).
Ijerph 18 00584 g002
Figure 3. Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) (points) values observed at RPEmuscular, RPEcardio, and RPEgeneral recorded under placebo and caffeine experimental conditions. PLAC: placebo group; CAFF: caffeine supplementation group. * Significant difference for placebo vs. caffeine (p < 0.05).
Figure 3. Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) (points) values observed at RPEmuscular, RPEcardio, and RPEgeneral recorded under placebo and caffeine experimental conditions. PLAC: placebo group; CAFF: caffeine supplementation group. * Significant difference for placebo vs. caffeine (p < 0.05).
Ijerph 18 00584 g003
Table 1. Scores obtained for the different profile of mood states (POMS) scales for the two experimental conditions (caffeine, placebo).
Table 1. Scores obtained for the different profile of mood states (POMS) scales for the two experimental conditions (caffeine, placebo).
SchemeCaffeinePlaceboMean Difference (%)pES
Tension *6.80 ± 5.783.60 ± 2.90+88.90.0040.72
Depression1.20 ± 1.521.47 ± 3.09−18.40.5650.11
Anger2.27 ± 2.811.27 ± 2.31+78.70.0880.40
Vigor *13.20 ± 3.2311.87 ± 3.04+11.20.0100.44
Fatigue2.93 ± 2.043.53 ± 3.44−17.00.4760.19
Confusion12.93 ± 4.0813.27 ± 2.69−2.60.6900.10
Data are provided as the mean ± standard deviation. * Significant difference between caffeine and placebo (p < 0.05).
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Domínguez, R.; Veiga-Herreros, P.; Sánchez-Oliver, A.J.; Montoya, J.J.; Ramos-Álvarez, J.J.; Miguel-Tobal, F.; Lago-Rodríguez, Á.; Jodra, P. Acute Effects of Caffeine Intake on Psychological Responses and High-Intensity Exercise Performance. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 584. https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18020584

AMA Style

Domínguez R, Veiga-Herreros P, Sánchez-Oliver AJ, Montoya JJ, Ramos-Álvarez JJ, Miguel-Tobal F, Lago-Rodríguez Á, Jodra P. Acute Effects of Caffeine Intake on Psychological Responses and High-Intensity Exercise Performance. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18(2):584. https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18020584

Chicago/Turabian Style

Domínguez, Raúl, Pablo Veiga-Herreros, Antonio Jesús Sánchez-Oliver, Juan José Montoya, Juan José Ramos-Álvarez, Francisco Miguel-Tobal, Ángel Lago-Rodríguez, and Pablo Jodra. 2021. "Acute Effects of Caffeine Intake on Psychological Responses and High-Intensity Exercise Performance" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 2: 584. https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18020584

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop