International journal of sports physiology and performanceOct 10, 2018

Low Caffeine Doses Improve Physical Performance in Top Male Teenage Soccer Players

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Updated Apr 4, 2026

Abstract

A dose of 3 mg·kg caffeine significantly improved performance in various physical tests among elite youth soccer players.

Performance enhancements were observed with 3 mg·kg caffeine across multiple tests compared to placebo.
The 20-m sprint times were faster at 3 mg·kg caffeine (3.15 s) compared to placebo (3.18 s), with a 73% probability of improvement.
Change of direction to the right and left showed significant improvements with 3 mg·kg caffeine, achieving 99% and 85% probabilities of faster times, respectively.
Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test distance was greater with 3 mg·kg caffeine (2440 m) than placebo (2308 m), with a 15% probability of improvement.
Preexercise countermovement jump height was higher at 3 mg·kg caffeine (41.6 cm) compared to placebo (38 cm), with a 96% probability of improvement.
Postexercise countermovement jump height also increased significantly with 3 mg·kg caffeine (42.3 cm) versus placebo (36.6 cm), with a 100% probability of improvement.

Simplified

High doses of ∼6 mg·kgbody mass have improved performance during intermittent running, jumping, and agility protocols. However, there are sparse data on low doses of caffeine, especially in elite adolescent soccer players.A total of 15 elite youth soccer players (177.3 [4.8] cm, 66.9 [7.9] kg, and 16 [1] y) participated in the study, consuming 1, 2, or 3 mg·kgcaffeine in a gelatin capsule or a 2-mg·kgplacebo in a single-blind, randomized, crossover study design. Testing consisted of a 20-m sprint, arrowhead agility (change of direction [CoD] right or left), countermovement jump (CMJ), and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1). Postexercise CMJ performance was assessed as participants exited the Yo-Yo IR1. Data were analyzed using a Bayesian multilevel regression model to provide explained variance and probabilities of improvement ( = %).Compared with placebo, 3 mg·kgcaffeine presented the highest probabilities of change across a range of tests (mean [SD], = %). Times for 20-m sprint were 3.15 (0.10) s vs 3.18 (0.09) s ( = 73%), CoD-right times were 8.43 (0.24) s vs 8.55 (0.25) s ( = 99%), CoD-left times were 8.44 (0.22) s vs 8.52 (0.18) s ( = 85%), Yo-Yo IR1 distance was 2440 (531) m vs 2308 (540) m ( = 15%), and preexercise CMJ height was 41.6 (7.2) cm vs 38 (8.5) cm ( = 96%). Postexercise CMJ was higher with 3 mg·kgthan with placebo (42.3 [8] cm vs 36.6 [8] cm; = 100%). Doses of 1 or 2 mg·kgcaffeine also demonstrated the ability to enhance performance but were task dependent.Low doses of caffeine improve performance but are dose and task dependent. A dose of 3 mg·kgcaffeine improved performance across the majority of tests with potential to further improve postexercise CMJ height.: Context: Methods P: Results P P P P P P P: Conclusion -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1

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Low Caffeine Doses Improve Physical Performance in Top Male Teenage Soccer Players

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