Collomp, K., Ahmaidi, S., Chatard, J. C., Audran, M., & Préfaut, C. (1992). Benefits of caffeine ingestion on sprint performance in trained and untrained swimmers. European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology, 64, 377-380.

The influence of specific training on benefits from caffeine ingestion was examined during a sprint test in a group of highly trained swimmers (N = 7) and compared with the response of a group of untrained occasional swimmers (N = 7). Ss randomly swam freestyle two assigned 2 x 100 m distances, at maximal speed and separated by 20 minutes of passive recovery, once after caffeine (250 mg) and once after placebo ingestion. Anaerobic capacity was assessed by the mean velocity (m/s) during each 100 m and blood was sampled from the fingertip just before and 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 minutes after each 100 m for resting and maximal blood lactate concentration determination.

Maximal blood lactate concentration was significantly enhanced by caffeine ingestion in both trained and untrained swimmers. However, only trained swimmers exhibited significant improvement in swimming velocity and reduction in performance impairment during the second 100 m after caffeine ingestion.

Implication. Performance improvement after caffeine ingestion is likely only in individuals specifically trained in the measured activity requiring a high anaerobic capacity.

Return to Table of Contents for this issue.