To determine the effects of ingesting caffeine at a dose of 3 mg/kg body mass on pull-up performance and handgrip-related measures in trained climbers.
Introduction: Caffeine is widely recognized as a performance-enhancing substance across numerous athletic disciplines; however, its role in sport climbing has received comparatively limited scientific attention. Because climbing performance relies heavily on grip force, explosive upper-body strength, and localized muscular endurance, this investigation evaluated the short-term impact of a low caffeine dose on climbing-relevant performance outcomes. Objective: To determine the effects of ingesting caffeine at a dose of 3 mg/kg body mass on pull-up performance and handgrip-related measures in trained climbers. Methods: Thirteen trained young male climbers participated in a triple-blind, randomized, crossover study design, completing two experimental conditions (caffeine and placebo). Performance assessments included a pull-up one-repetition maximum (1RM), a pull-up power test conducted at multiple external loads, a pull-up endurance test, and several grip performance evaluations, namely maximal dead-hang duration, maximal dead-hang force, and rate of force development (RFD).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
13
Caffeine supplementation was provide to young male climbers.
Placebo supplementation was provide to young male climbers.
Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad de Alcalá
Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
Pull-up 1RM
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks
Pull-up strength and power test 1
Mean and peak velocity will be recorded at 60%, 80%, 90%, 95% and 100% 1RM.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks
Pull-up strength and power test 2
Mean and peak power will be recorded at 60%, 80%, 90%, 95% and 100%1RM.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks
Pull-up muscular endurance test
Using body mass and perform one set of many repetitions as possible until task failure. The total number of repetitions, Vmean, Vpeak, Wmean and Wpeak were recorded.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks
Grip endurance in dead-hang.
Maximum hanging time (MHT) test at an 18-mm edge depth with each hand
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks
Maximum grip strength in dead-hang
using the Strength Test (ST), which measures the maximal external load a participant can sustain for 5 seconds while hanging from an 18-mm edge
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks
Grip rate of force development (RFD).
measuring the maximal one-hand pull (voluntary contraction) at an 18 mm edge with a force sensor
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks
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Body composition
Using bioelectrical impedance
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks
Dietary habits
24 h dietary recall
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks
Physical activity habits
International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Report the unabbreviated scale title. Scores are typically expressed as MET-minutes/week or by activity categories (low, moderate, high), depending on the scoring protocol used. There is no fixed universal minimum or maximum score for MET-minutes/week, as scores depend on reported activity levels. Higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater physical activity).
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks
Rate of perceived exertion
Using Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE). Category Ratio 10 (CR10) Scale: minimum 0, maximum 10 (or 11 if including "maximal"). Higher scores indicate worse outcomes (greater perceived exertion).
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks
Mood states
Using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) on a 0-4 scale.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 weeks