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Comparing Effects of Caffeine and Total Motion Release Technique on Cognitive, Neuromuscular, and Anaerobic Function in Semi-Professional Male Sprinters: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapy
April 1, 2025
Parsa Safapour et al. (6 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialComparative StudyHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine the effects of caffeine on cognitive performance (reaction times), neuromuscular function, and anaerobic capacity in male sprinters.

Results Summary

Caffeine significantly improved cognitive performance (reduced reaction times in the flanker task) but had minimal impact on anaerobic capacity. The effects were most pronounced for congruent reaction times, though no group significantly outperformed others in power metrics.

Population

56 male sprinters, randomized into intervention groups.

Effective Dosage

Not specified in the abstract.

Duration

Not specified in the abstract (pre- and post-intervention comparisons suggest acute or short-term effects).

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (28)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
caffeine
decrease
Flanker congruent reaction times
male sprinters
-
significantly decreased
#1
caffeine
decrease
Flanker incongruent reaction times
male sprinters
-
significantly decreased
#2
Total Motion Release (TMR)
decrease
Flanker congruent reaction times
male sprinters
-
significantly decreased
#3
Total Motion Release (TMR)
decrease
Flanker incongruent reaction times
male sprinters
-
significantly decreased
#4
caffeine plus TMR
decrease
Flanker congruent reaction times
male sprinters
-
significantly decreased
#5
caffeine plus TMR
decrease
Flanker incongruent reaction times
male sprinters
-
significantly decreased
#6
caffeine
decrease
congruent reaction times
male sprinters
-
showed the greatest effect
#7
caffeine
increase
FMS scores
male sprinters
-
improved
#8
Total Motion Release (TMR)
increase
FMS scores
male sprinters
-
improved
#9
caffeine plus TMR
increase
FMS scores
male sprinters
-
improved
#10
caffeine
increase
peak power
male sprinters
-
increased
#11
caffeine
increase
average power
male sprinters
-
increased
#12
caffeine
increase
relative peak power
male sprinters
-
increased
#13
Total Motion Release (TMR)
increase
peak power
male sprinters
-
increased
#14
Total Motion Release (TMR)
increase
average power
male sprinters
-
increased
#15
Total Motion Release (TMR)
increase
relative peak power
male sprinters
-
increased
#16
caffeine plus TMR
increase
peak power
male sprinters
-
increased
#17
caffeine plus TMR
increase
average power
male sprinters
-
increased
#18
caffeine plus TMR
increase
relative peak power
male sprinters
-
increased
#19
caffeine plus TMR
increase
Heart rate
male sprinters
-
showed a slight increase
#20
caffeine
increase
cognitive function
-
-
increases
#21
Total Motion Release (TMR)
increase
accuracy
-
-
boosts
#22
Total Motion Release (TMR)
increase
power
-
-
boosts
#23
Total Motion Release (TMR)
increase
neuromuscular function
-
-
boosts
#24
caffeine plus TMR
increase
cognitive performance
-
-
improve
#25
caffeine plus TMR
decrease
reaction times
-
-
reduce
#26
Total Motion Release (TMR)
increase
anaerobic capacity
-
-
improves
#27
caffeine
no change
anaerobic capacity
-
-
has minimal impact
#28
Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: As sprinting gains popularity, enhancing anaerobic capacity, neuromuscular function, and cognitive performance is crucial. This study evaluated the effects of Total Motion Release (TMR) and caffeine on these functions in male sprinters to optimize performance strategies. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 56 male sprinters were randomly assigned to control, caffeine, TMR, or caffeine plus TMR groups. The Stroop test, Eriksen flanker task, FMS, and Wingate test were used pre- and post-intervention, with effects analyzed via within- and between-group comparisons. RESULTS: Flanker congruent and incongruent reaction times significantly decreased with caffeine, TMR, or the combination of both (p < 0.05), with caffeine showing the greatest effect on congruent reaction times (p < 0.05). All groups except the control improved their FMS scores, but no group was significantly superior. Peak, average, and relative peak power increased in all groups except the caffeine group (p > 0.05), with no group outperforming the others. Heart rate showed a slight increase in the group receiving both caffeine and TMR (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: Caffeine increases cognitive function, while TMR boosts accuracy, power, and neuromuscular function. Combined, they improve cognitive performance and reduce reaction times. TMR improves anaerobic capacity; caffeine has minimal impact. Caffeine may be better for those without sensitivity, while TMR can support neuromuscular readiness, power, and accuracy. TMR is recommended, especially for high-acceleration sports. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered with the IRCT committee (No: IRCT20230708058720N1, March 13, 2024).

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansMaleCaffeineCognitionYoung AdultAdultRunningAthletic PerformanceReaction Time
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy70/10
Quality80/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.60
Normalized Score0.64
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