Effects of Caffeine Ingestion on the Biomechanics of Healthy Young Subjects

University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia15 enrolled

Overview

Caffeine is one of the few supplements that have enough scientific evidence to state that can notably improve performance, as different remarkable organizations in the sports nutrition context have classified it as an ergogenic aid with strong evidence regarding its efficacy and that is apparently safe. The beneficial effect of this substance on physical and cognitive performance has been identified in aerobic and anaerobic efforts, including aerobic and muscular endurance, power, or strength. However, it seems that the benefits of caffeine are usually measured only by its effect on performance, while a comprehensive analysis of its impact on other aspects of the movement technique of the exercise is not considered. Therefore, although caffeine generates better performance, a null or negative effect may occur on technique execution. As such, some consequences might arise (e.g., an increase in injury risk or a decrease in energy efficiency). The objective of this randomized controlled trial is to assess the influence of caffeine on certain biomechanical parameters of the technique of physical exercises in circumstances without fatigue and under neuromuscular fatigue. The study hypothesis is that caffeine generates modifications in the technical execution of certain movements in fatigued and unfatigued circumstances due to its physiological effects, which may be beneficial for performance and injury prevention. The participants will have to attend 5 sessions (enrollment, familiarization, control, placebo, and caffeine), at least 7 days apart. In the last 3 sessions, different measurements will be done to their technique while jumping, squatting, and running, without fatigue and with it. Other data will be collected throughout the study to contextualize and analyze in more detail the obtained information.

A detailed description of the study can be found in the protocol uploaded with this registry entry.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

TRIPLE

Interventions

Caffeine.DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Ingestion of opaque capsules with a total dose of 6mg/kg of caffeine, 60 minutes before the beginning of the assessed exercises. A crossover with the other intervention will be done in the next/previous session (depending on the arm).

Cellulose.DRUG

Ingestion of opaque capsules with cellulose, 60 minutes before the beginning of the assessed exercises. A crossover with the other intervention will be done in the next/previous session (depending on the arm).

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 30 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * An uninterrupted training time of at least 1 year in the subjects' regular exercise modality (either the person is still training or interrupted the training period during the last year, and with no more than 4 months of detraining). * A good exercise technique of the assessed movement patterns (running, squatting, and jumping). Exclusion Criteria: * Not being 18-30 years old. * Having any relevant medical condition. * Pregnancy. * Smoking. * Regular medication consumption / Medication consumption the days before the sessions during the study. * Other supplementation regular consumption / Other supplementation consumption during the study (excluding sports foods, provided that their goal and nutrients have the objective of substituting the ingestion of regular food (e.g., isotonic drinks, carbohydrates gels, protein powder...), without adding other components that may act as ergogenic substances). * Habitual caffeine consumption of \>25mg/day-0,99mg/kg/day.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Knee flexion angle at the midstance while running.

Assessment of the knee flexion angle (in degrees). The measurement will be done before and after a fatiguing protocol. Assessed using kinematic instruments.