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Exploring the minimum ergogenic dose of caffeine on resistance exercise performance: A meta-analytic approach.

Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.)
May 1, 2022
Jozo Grgic
Journal ArticleMeta-AnalysisReviewHuman Study
Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
caffeine ingestion
increase
resistance exercise performance
-
-
has well-established ergogenic effects
#1
caffeine supplementation in doses from 0.9 to 2 mg/kg
increase
muscular strength
-
Cohen d: 0.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03-0.31; P = 0.02
revealed an ergogenic effect
#2
caffeine supplementation in doses from 0.9 to 2 mg/kg
increase
muscular endurance
-
Cohen d: 0.21; 95% CI, 0.07-0.35; P = 0.003
revealed an ergogenic effect
#3
caffeine supplementation in doses from 0.9 to 2 mg/kg
increase
mean velocity
-
Cohen d: 0.56; 95% CI, 0.12-1.01; P = 0.01
revealed an ergogenic effect
#4
very low doses of caffeine
increase
resistance exercise performance
-
-
demonstrated an ergogenic effect
#5
very low doses of caffeine
increase
resistance exercise performance
-
-
magnitude of these effects was similar to that previously reported with higher caffeine doses
#6
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Caffeine ingestion has well-established ergogenic effects for resistance exercise performance. However, the concept of a minimum effective caffeine dose has not yet been thoroughly examined in the literature. Therefore, this review aimed to explore the minimum ergogenic dose of caffeine on resistance exercise outcomes, such as muscular strength, endurance, and velocity, using a meta-analytic approach. METHODS: The search for eligible studies was performed through six databases. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the PEDro checklist. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed for data analysis. Twelve studies that provided caffeine supplementation in doses from 0.9 to 2 mg/kg were included. The studies were classified as being of good or excellent methodological quality. RESULTS: The results revealed an ergogenic effect of caffeine for muscular strength (Cohen d: 0.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03-0.31; P = 0.02), muscular endurance (Cohen d: 0.21; 95% CI, 0.07-0.35; P = 0.003), and mean velocity (Cohen d: 0.56; 95% CI, 0.12-1.01; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This review demonstrated an ergogenic effect of very low doses of caffeine on resistance exercise performance. The magnitude of these effects was similar to that previously reported with higher caffeine doses. These findings highlight that the minimal ergogenic doses of caffeine are even lower than previously suggested. Such doses of caffeine can be consumed through a regular diet, because for most individuals, a dose of approximately 1 to 2 mg/kg is equivalent to a dose of caffeine in one to two cups of coffee.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
CaffeineExerciseHumansPerformance-Enhancing SubstancesPhysical EnduranceResistance Training
Study Links
Citation Metrics
Total Citations15
Citations/Year5.0
Relative Citation Ratio3.09
NIH Percentile85.6%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
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