Acute caffeine supplementation in combat sports: a systematic review.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Caffeine used as a supplement | increase | physical and cognitive performance | several sport modalities | - | has been shown to improve | #1 |
caffeine supplementation | no change | performance in combat sports | - | - | detected no ergogenic effect | #2 |
caffeine supplementation | increase | performance in combat sports | - | - | did observe a significant positive effect | #3 |
Supplementation with 3-6 mg/kg of caffeine | increase | the glycolytic contribution to energy metabolism | during the execution of real or simulated combats | - | was found to increase | #4 |
Supplementation with 3-6 mg/kg of caffeine | increase | blood lactate concentrations | during the execution of real or simulated combats | - | elevated | #5 |
Caffeine intake | increase | levels of strength, power and upper arm muscular endurance | - | - | was also noted to improve | #6 |
Caffeine intake | no change | the exertion perceived by the athlete | - | - | These effects were not paralleled by an increase | #7 |
Caffeine used as a supplement has been shown to improve physical and cognitive performance in several sport modalities due to its effects on the central nervous system. This review assesses the direct effects of caffeine supplementation on performance in combat sports. Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines, relevant studies were identified through the Medline, Scopus and SPORTDiscus databases. Of 1053 search results, only 9 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of these, three studies detected no ergogenic effect of caffeine supplementation, while six studies did observe a significant positive effect. Supplementation with 3-6 mg/kg of caffeine was found to increase the glycolytic contribution to energy metabolism during the execution of real or simulated combats, as indicated by elevated blood lactate concentrations. Caffeine intake was also noted to improve levels of strength, power and upper arm muscular endurance. These effects were not paralleled by an increase in the exertion perceived by the athlete.