Effects of acute caffeine intake on combat sports performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Apr 27, 2022Critical reviews in food science and nutrition

How a single dose of caffeine affects combat sports performance

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Abstract

Caffeine ingestion may enhance athletic performance in combat sports, as indicated by an increase in vertical jump height and reaction time.

Caffeine is associated with a significant increase in vertical jump height (SMD: 0.38).
Caffeine ingestion is linked to improved reaction time (SMD: -0.98).
Combat sports athletes demonstrated a higher number of throws in the Special Judo Fitness Test with caffeine (SMD: 0.62).
Increased offensive actions during combat were observed following caffeine consumption (SMD: 0.40).
Caffeine ingestion is associated with longer durations of offensive actions during combat (SMD: 0.58).
Blood lactate concentrations increased significantly after each bout (SMD: 1.35 for bout 1, 1.43 for bout 2, and 1.98 for bout 3).

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The interest in the benefits of caffeine in combat sports has grown exponentially in the last few years, evidenced by the significant rise of post-competition urine caffeine concentration. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of caffeine on different performance variables in combat sports athletes. In total, we included 25 studies. All studies included had blinded, and cross-over experimental designs, and we conducted a risk of bias analysis. For nonspecific outcomes, there was an ergogenic effect of caffeine on vertical jump height (SMD: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.71) and reaction time (SMD: -0.98, 95% CI: -1.46,-0.50). For outcomes specific to combat sports, there was an increase in the number of throws with caffeine in the Special Judo Fitness Test (SMD: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.14, 1.09). Caffeine ingestion increased the number of offensive actions during combats (SMD: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.74). Caffeine ingestion increased the duration of offensive actions during combat (SMD: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.96). Finally, caffeine ingestion increased blood lactate concentration after bout 1 (SMD: 1.35) bout 2 (SMD: 1.43) and bout 3 (SMD: 1.98). Overall, athletes competing in combat sports may consider supplementing with caffeine for an acute increase in exercise performance.

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Effects of acute caffeine intake on combat sports performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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