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Effects of dietary nitrate, caffeine, and their combination on 20-km cycling time trial performance.

Journal of strength and conditioning research
January 1, 2015
Mark Glaister et al. (5 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to examine the acute effects of caffeine supplementation on 20-km cycling time trial performance, both alone and in combination with dietary nitrate.

Results Summary

Caffeine significantly improved power output, heart rate, blood lactate levels, and respiratory exchange ratio compared to placebo, but showed no additional benefits when combined with dietary nitrate. No significant effects were observed on cycling cadence, perceived exertion, or electromyographic activity.

Population

14 competitive female cyclists (age 31 ± 7 years).

Effective Dosage

5 mg·kg of caffeine, consumed one hour before the trial.

Duration

Acute (single-dose intervention).

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (11)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
caffeine
increase
power output
14 competitive female cyclists
205 ± 21 W vs. 194 ± 25 W (placebo)
higher power outputs
#1
dietary nitrate
no change
power output
14 competitive female cyclists
194 ± 22 W vs. 194 ± 25 W (placebo)
no effect
#2
caffeine
increase
heart rate
14 competitive female cyclists
166 ± 12 b·min vs. 159 ± 15 b·min (placebo)
significantly higher measures
#3
caffeine
increase
blood lactate
14 competitive female cyclists
6.54 ± 2.40 mmol·L vs. 4.50 ± 2.11 mmol·L (placebo)
significantly higher measures
#4
caffeine
increase
respiratory exchange ratio
14 competitive female cyclists
0.95 ± 0.04 vs. 0.91 ± 0.05 (placebo)
significantly higher measures
#5
supplementation (caffeine, nitrate, combination)
no change
cycling cadence
14 competitive female cyclists
-
no effects
#6
supplementation (caffeine, nitrate, combination)
no change
rating of perceived exertion
14 competitive female cyclists
-
no effects
#7
supplementation (caffeine, nitrate, combination)
no change
integrated electromyographic activity
14 competitive female cyclists
-
no effects
#8
caffeine supplementation
increase
endurance performance
-
-
beneficial effects
#9
acute supplementation with dietary nitrate
no change
endurance performance
-
-
seems to have no effect
#10
dietary nitrate
no change
endurance performance
-
-
adds nothing to the benefits
#11
Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the acute supplementation effects of dietary nitrate, caffeine, and their combination on 20-km cycling time trial performance. Using a randomized, counterbalanced, double-blind Latin-square design, 14 competitive female cyclists (age: 31 ± 7 years; height: 1.69 ± 0.07 m; body mass: 61.6 ± 6.0 kg) completed four 20-km time trials on a racing bicycle fitted to a turbo trainer. Approximately 2.5 hours before each trial, subjects consumed a 70-ml dose of concentrated beetroot juice containing either 0.45 g of dietary nitrate or with the nitrate content removed (placebo). One hour before each trial, subjects consumed a capsule containing either 5 mg·kg of caffeine or maltodextrin (placebo). There was a significant effect of supplementation on power output (p = 0.001), with post hoc tests revealing higher power outputs in caffeine (205 ± 21 W) vs. nitrate (194 ± 22 W) and placebo (194 ± 25 W) trials only. Caffeine-induced improvements in power output corresponded with significantly higher measures of heart rate (caffeine: 166 ± 12 b·min vs. placebo: 159 ± 15 b·min; p = 0.02), blood lactate (caffeine: 6.54 ± 2.40 mmol·L vs. placebo: 4.50 ± 2.11 mmol·L; p < 0.001), and respiratory exchange ratio (caffeine: 0.95 ± 0.04 vs. placebo: 0.91 ± 0.05; p = 0.03). There were no effects (p ≥ 0.05) of supplementation on cycling cadence, rating of perceived exertion, (Equation is included in full-text article.), or integrated electromyographic activity. The results of this study support the well-established beneficial effects of caffeine supplementation on endurance performance. In contrast, acute supplementation with dietary nitrate seems to have no effect on endurance performance and adds nothing to the benefits afforded by caffeine supplementation.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdultAthletic PerformanceBicyclingCaffeineDietary SupplementsDouble-Blind MethodFemaleHeart RateHumansNitratesOxygen ConsumptionPhysical EndurancePhysical Exertion
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality90/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations52
Citations/Year5.2
Relative Citation Ratio2.97
NIH Percentile84.7%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.01
Normalized Score0.72
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