Effect of Caffeine Supplementation on Acute Rope Exercise Performance and Metabolism

Abstract

Thermogenic supplements have increased in popularity in recent years primarily because they are thought to increase energy, mental acuity, reduce body fat, and augment athletic performance (7). These supplements often contain compounds such as caffeine (6). Caffeine has been shown to increase lactate production during anaerobic exercise (2), increase muscle power and delay fatigue (4,9), thus improving anaerobic exercise performance (1). It also has effects on blood glucose and lactate levels (3), increasing blood lactate levels with exercise to enhance the generation of new stored energy during recovery (8). Our laboratory has shown that consumption of an energy supplement containing caffeine consumed prior to resistance exercise enhanced the total number of repetitions performed (5). However, there is limited research on the effects of a caffeine supplement taken to enhance maximal rope exercise which is considered anaerobic in nature. To address this gap in the literature, in this current study, subjects performed rope exercises on two different days after consuming either 325 mg of caffeine (~3 cups of coffee or tea) or placebo pill. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a caffeine and placebo supplementation on cardiovascular, metabolic, exercise intensity and perception of effort, and anaerobic performance while completing an acute maximal rope exercise protocol. The hypothesis of this study was that caffeine will have a positive effect on anaerobic performance (the number of repetitions completed) and cardiovascular (heart rate) properties along with a decrease in metabolic properties (blood lactate and glucose) and ratings of perceived exertion.