Caffeine Effects on Physical Performance and Sport-Specific Skills in Elite Youth Soccer Players: A Randomised Trial Using the Balanced Placebo Design
The aim of the study was to examine the safety and effects of relatively high caffeine doses on physical performance and sport-specific skills of young elite soccer players. Fifty-four soccer players from an elite Russian soccer academy participated in the blinded randomised placebo-controlled study...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Sports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/4/106 |
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| Summary: | The aim of the study was to examine the safety and effects of relatively high caffeine doses on physical performance and sport-specific skills of young elite soccer players. Fifty-four soccer players from an elite Russian soccer academy participated in the blinded randomised placebo-controlled study with a double-blinded and balanced design. Participants were divided into four groups: group 1 CAF/CAF; group 2 CAF/PLA group 3 PLA/PLA and group 4 PLA/CAF. All participants were administered 400 mg of caffeine or the placebo. The data demonstrated that a single 400 mg caffeine administration 60 min before exercise had a positive effect on repeated sprint ability (RSA) test parameters such as fatigue index (for both groups <i>p</i> < 0.001) and percentage decrement score (for both groups <i>p</i> < 0.001). In group 4, statistically significant improvements were also found when performing the fourth and sixth sprint during the RSA test (<i>p</i> = 0.039 and <i>p</i> = 0.005, respectively). Group 1 also showed a statistically significant improvement in dribbling speed performance (<i>p</i> = 0.048). It was demonstrated that the number of adverse events in all four groups was not different (<i>p</i> = 0.56). A single administration of 400 mg of caffeine 60 min prior to maximal intensity physical activity can be considered reasonable and safe for young elite soccer players. |
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| ISSN: | 2075-4663 |