Caffeine is a potent central nervous system stimulant that increases the activity in the prefrontal cortex and can improve cognitive skills. An improvement in these cognitive skills can lead to further benefits in athletic performance. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the dose-response of caffeine on cognitive performance.The aim of this research will be to determine the effects of different doses of caffeine on sport-related cognitive aspects.
The investigators will require healthy, physically active young adults to complete three trials under the conditions: a) placebo, b) 3 mg/kg, or c) 6 mg/kg body mass of caffeine. In each trial, different cognitive abilities will be assessed using the following test batteries: reaction time (DynavisionTM D2), anticipation (Bassin Anticipation Timer), sustained attention (Go/No-Go and Eriksen Flanker Test) and memory tests. In addition, side effects and the perceived sensation index will be recorded 24 h after each test.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
30
3 mg/kg of cellulose (0 mg/kg of caffeine)
Ingestion of 3 mg/kg of body mass of caffeine
Ingestion of 6 mg/kg of body mass of caffeine
Performance and Sport Rehabilitation Laboratory
Toledo, Spain
Reaction Time
Reaction time (in seconds) shall be assessed with the Dynavision™ D2 Visomotor Device using the "Reaction Time Test". In this test the fastest visual, motor and physical reaction time will be measured.
Time frame: 10 minutes
Anticipation
Visual acuity related to hand-eye coordination and anticipation will be assessed using the Bassin Anticipation Timer instrument. The best anticipation time (in seconds) of each condition (5, 10 and 15 mph) will be taken.
Time frame: 5 minutes
Sustained attention
The ability of maintaining the attention and inhibiting an appropriate response will be measured by "Go/No-Go Test" \[fastest, slowest, and average response time (in seconds), and successful attempts (percentage; %)\] and "Eriksen Flanker Test" \[congruent and incongruent reaction time (in seconds)\].
Time frame: 10 minutes
Memory
To study the modulation of memory storage processes, three 20-item word lists were created. Each word in the list will be presented for 5 s. This will be followed by a 100 s memory consolidation interval, after which there will be a 120 s period in which as many words as the participants can remember will be written down (First time). After 15 min, participants will perform a recall task (Second time) in which they will have to rewrite all the words they remember at that time.
Time frame: 20 minutes
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