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Effects of Caffeine Supplementation on Physical Performance of Soccer Players: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Sports health
January 1, 2021
Raphael Einsfeld Simões Ferreira et al. (6 authors)
Journal ArticleMeta-AnalysisSystematic ReviewHuman Study
Extracted Claims (9)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
caffeine
no change
aerobic endurance
soccer players
mean difference 44.9 m; 95% CI, -77.7 to 167.6
did not demonstrate differences
#1
caffeine
no change
time to fatigue test
soccer players
MD, 169.8 seconds; 95% CI, -71.8 to 411.6
no difference was observed
#2
caffeine
no change
vertical jump
soccer players
MD, 1.01 cm; 95% CI, -0.68 to 2.69
did not find differences
#3
caffeine
no change
repeated sprint tests
soccer players
MD, -0.02 seconds; 95% CI, -0.09 to 0.04
did not find differences
#4
caffeine
no change
reaction time agility test
soccer players
MD, 0.02 seconds; 95% CI, -0.01 to 0.04
did not find differences
#5
caffeine
no change
rating of perceived exertion
soccer players
MD, 0.16 points; 95% CI, -0.55 to 0.87
did not find differences
#6
caffeine
neutral
safety
soccer players
a few minor adverse events
a few minor adverse events were reported
#7
caffeine
no change
soccer-related performance
soccer players
no significant improvement
found no significant improvement
#8
caffeine
neutral
safety
soccer players
-
appears to be safe
#9
Abstract

CONTEXT: Caffeine is 1 of the most popular supplements consumed by athletes, and the evidence for improving soccer performance remains limited. OBJECTIVE: To investigate and update the effects (benefits and harms) of caffeine to improve performance on soccer players. DATA SOURCES: Electronic search in Medline (via PubMed), CENTRAL, Embase, SPORTDiscus, and LILACS, from inception to March 28, 2020. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of caffeine on the performance of soccer players. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review with meta-analysis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 1. DATA EXTRACTION: Data extraction was conducted independently by 2 authors using a piloted form. We assessed methodological quality (Cochrane risk-of-bias [RoB] table) and the certainty of the evidence (GRADE [Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation] approach). RESULTS: Sixteen RCTs were included. Overall methodological quality was classified as unclear to low risk of bias. When assessing aerobic endurance, meta-analyses did not demonstrate the differences between caffeine and placebo (mean difference [MD], 44.9 m; 95% confidence interval [CI], -77.7 to 167.6). Similarly, no difference was observed during time to fatigue test (MD, 169.8 seconds; 95% CI, -71.8 to 411.6). Considering anaerobic power, meta-analyses also did not find differences for vertical jump (MD, 1.01 cm; 95% CI, -0.68 to 2.69) and repeated sprint tests (MD, -0.02 seconds; 95% CI, -0.09 to 0.04), as well as reaction time agility test (MD, 0.02 seconds; 95% CI, -0.01 to 0.04) and rating of perceived exertion (MD, 0.16 points; 95% CI, -0.55 to 0.87). Regarding safety, a few minor adverse events were reported. Based on the GRADE approach, the certainty of this evidence was classified as very low to low. CONCLUSION: We found no significant improvement in soccer-related performance with caffeine compared with placebo or no intervention. However, caffeine appears to be safe.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Athletic PerformanceCaffeineDietary SupplementsExercise TestHumansPerceptionPerformance-Enhancing SubstancesPhysical ExertionSoccer
Study Links
Citation Metrics
Total Citations14
Citations/Year3.5
Relative Citation Ratio1.87
NIH Percentile72.5%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
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