Effects of caffeine ingestion on performance and biomechanical parameters of running A randomized crossover trial
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the impact of 6mg/kg of caffeine (CAFF) on running performance and technique. Using a randomized, double-blind, crossover structure, 14 subjects ran 2.5 kilometres on a treadmill, without (PRE) and with (POST) fatigue, under 3 conditions with 7 days as a wash-out: control (CON), placebo (PLA), and CAFF. CON was always assessed first. The results showed that POST, there was less flight time (d = 0.85), more step rate (d = 0.61-0.62) and less stride length in both legs (d = 0.61-0.63), less knee flexion (d = 0.75), and a slower performance (d = 0.72). Compared to CON, PLA increased contact time in both legs (d = 0.70-1.01) while improving performance (d = 1.00), and CAFF reduced step rate (d = 0.85-0.86) and increased stride length in both legs (d = 0.82-0.86) while also enhancing performance (d = 1.01). CAFF PRE showed a faster time compared to CAFF POST, PLA POST, CON PRE, and CON POST (d = 1.17-1.92), and PLA PRE was faster than CON PRE, CON POST, and CAFF POST (d = 1.19-1.50). In conclusion, CAFF improved running performance compared to CON, suggesting a front-loaded strategy, while PLA also enhanced performance relative to CON. Furthermore, CAFF, PLA, and fatigue modified running kinematics. This trial was prospectively registered on Clinical Trials (NCT06039358; September 2023) and supported by "AGAUR-FI ajuts".
Downloads
Article Details
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Each author warrants that his or her submission to the Work is original and that he or she has full power to enter into this agreement. Neither this Work nor a similar work has been published elsewhere in any language nor shall be submitted for publication elsewhere while under consideration by Journal of Human Sport and Exercise (JHSE). Each author also accepts that the JHSE will not be held legally responsible for any claims of compensation.
Authors wishing to include figures or text passages that have already been published elsewhere are required to obtain permission from the copyright holder(s) and to include evidence that such permission has been granted when submitting their papers. Any material received without such evidence will be assumed to originate from the authors.
Please include at the end of the acknowledgements a declaration that the experiments comply with the current laws of the country in which they were performed. The editors reserve the right to reject manuscripts that do not comply with the abovementioned requirements. The author(s) will be held responsible for false statements or failure to fulfill the above-mentioned requirements.
This title is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).
You are free to:
Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.
Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material.
The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
-
Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
-
NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
-
ShareAlike — If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
- You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation.
- No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
How to Cite
Funding data
-
European Social Fund Plus
Grant numbers 2025 FI-3 00250 -
Generalitat de Catalunya
Grant numbers 2025 FI-3 00250
References
Balsalobre-Fernández, C., Tejero-González, C. M., del Campo-Vecino, J., & Bavaresco, N. (2014). The concurrent validity and reliability of a low-cost, high-speed camera-based method for measuring the flight time of vertical jumps. J Strength Cond Res, 28(2), 528-533. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318299a52e
Bernans, E., Abolins, V., & Lanka, J. (2023). Does step frequency as a single factor affect running economy? A systematic review. J Hum Sport Exerc, 18(3), 743-754. https://doi.org/10.14198/jhse.2023.183.20
Bühler, E., Lachenmeier, D. W., Schlegel, K., & Winkler, G. (2014). Development of a tool to assess the caffeine intake among teenagers and young adults. Ernahr Umsch, 61(4), 58-63. https://doi.org/10.4455/eu.2014.011
Ceyssens, L., Vanelderen, R., Barton, C., Malliaras, P., & Dingenen, B. (2019). Biomechanical risk factors associated with running-related injuries: A systematic review. Sports Med, 49(7), 1095-1115. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01110-z
Dingenen, B., Barton, C., Janssen, T., Benoit, A., & Malliaras, P. (2018). Test-retest reliability of two-dimensional video analysis during running. Phys Ther Sport Off J Assoc Chart Physiother Sport Med, 33, 40-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2018.06.009
Dwan, K., Li, T., Altman, D. G., & Elbourne, D. (2019). CONSORT 2010 statement: Extension to randomised crossover trials. BMJ, 366, l4378. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l4378
Elkin, L. A., Kay, M., Higgins, J. J., & Wobbrock, J. O. (2021). An aligned rank transform procedure for multifactor contrast tests. Proceedings of the 34th annual ACM symposium on user interface software and technology, USA, 754-768. https://doi.org/10.1145/3472749.3474784
Encarnación-Martínez, A., García-Gallart, A., Sanchis-Sanchis, R., Jimenez-Perez, I., Priego-Quesada, J. I., & Pérez-Soriano, P. (2022). Higher hamstrings strength and stability are related to lower kinematics alteration during running after central and peripheral fatigue. Sensors (Basel), 22(5), 1990. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22051990
Encarnación-Martínez, A., Pérez-Soriano, P., Sanchis-Sanchis, R., Berenguer-Vidal, R., & García-Gallart, A. (2021). Modification of angular kinematics and spatiotemporal parameters during running after central and peripheral fatigue. Appl Sci, 11(14), 6610. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11146610
Filip-Stachnik, A., Krzysztofik, M., Del Coso, J., & Wilk, M. (2022). Acute effects of two caffeine doses on bar velocity during the bench press exercise among women habituated to caffeine: A randomized, crossover, double-blind study involving control and placebo conditions. Eur J Nutr, 61(2), 947-955. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-021-02708-8
Filip, A., Wilk, M., Krzysztofik, M., & Del Coso, J. (2020). Inconsistency in the ergogenic effect of caffeine in athletes who regularly consume caffeine: Is it due to the disparity in the criteria that defines habitual caffeine intake? Nutrients, 12(4), 1087. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12041087
García-Pinillos, F., Latorre-Román, P. Á., Soto-Hermoso, V. M., Párraga-Montilla, J. A., Pantoja-Vallejo, A., Ramírez-Campillo, R., & Roche-Seruendo, L. E. (2019). Agreement between the spatiotemporal gait parameters from two different wearable devices and high-speed video analysis. PLoS One, 14(9), e0222872. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222872
Grgic, J. (2022). A comprehensive assessment of caffeine's effects on components of countermovement jump performance. Biol Sport, 39(3), 515-520. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2022.107017
Guest, N. S., VanDusseldorp, T. A., Nelson, M. T., Grgic, J., Schoenfeld, B. J., Jenkins, N. D. M., Arent, S. M., Antonio, J., Stout, J. R., Trexler, E. T., Smith-Ryan, A. E., Goldstein, E. R., Kalman, D. S., & Campbell, B. I. (2021). International society of sports nutrition position stand: Caffeine and exercise performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr, 18(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-020-00383-4
Hopewell, S., Chan, A.-W., Collins, G. S., Hróbjartsson, A., Moher, D., Schulz, K. F., Tunn, R., Aggarwal, R., Berkwits, M., Berlin, J. A., Bhandari, N., Butcher, N. J., Campbell, M. K., Chidebe, R. C. W., Elbourne, D., Farmer, A., Fergusson, D. A., Golub, R. M., Goodman, S. N., … Boutron, I. (2025). CONSORT 2025 explanation and elaboration: Updated guideline for reporting randomised trials. BMJ, 389, e081124. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2024-081124
Horiuchi, M., & Nagahara, R. (2024). Acute effects of caffeine supplementation on kinematics and kinetics of sprinting. Scand J Med Sci Sports, 34(3), e14595. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.14595
Hurst, P., Schipof-Godart, L., Hettinga, F., Roelands, B., & Beedie, C. (2019). Improved 1000-m running performance and pacing strategy with caffeine and placebo: A balanced placebo design study. Int J Sports Physiol Perform, 15(4), 483-488. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2019-0230
Lesinski, M., Prieske, O., Demps, M., & Granacher, U. (2016). Effects of fatigue and surface instability on neuromuscular performance during jumping. Scand J Med Sci Sport, 26(10), 1140-1150. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12548
Magkos, F., & Kavouras, S. A. (2005). Caffeine use in sports, pharmacokinetics in man, and cellular mechanisms of action. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 45(7-8), 535-562. https://doi.org/10.1080/1040-830491379245
Marticorena, F. M., Carvalho, A., De Oliveira, L. F., Dolan, E., Gualano, B., Swinton, P., & Saunders, B. (2021). Nonplacebo controls to determine the magnitude of ergogenic interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 53(8), 1766-1777. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000002635
Matsumura, T., Tomoo, K., Sugimoto, T., Tsukamoto, H., Shinohara, Y., Otsuka, M., & Hashimoto, T. (2023). Acute effect of caffeine supplementation on 100-m sprint running performance: A field test. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 55(3), 525-533. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000003057
Maughan, R. J., Burke, L. M., Dvorak, J., Larson-Meyer, D. E., Peeling, P., Phillips, S. M., Rawson, E. S., Walsh, N. P., Garthe, I., Geyer, H., Meeusen, R., Van Loon, L. J. C., Shirreffs, S. M., Spriet, L. L., Stuart, M., Vernec, A., Currell, K., Ali, V. M., Budgett, R. G., … Engebretsen, L. (2018). IOC consensus statement: Dietary supplements and the high-performance athlete. Br J Sports Med, 52(7), 439-455. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2018-099027
Mesquita, R. M., Morin, J.-B., & Dewolf, A. H. (2025). The effect of step frequency and running speed on the coordination of the pelvis and thigh segments during running. J Appl Biomech, 41(1), 8-17. https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.2024-0016
Montalvo-Alonso, J. J., Ferragut, C., Del Val-Manzano, M., Valadés, D., Roberts, J., & Pérez-López, A. (2024). Sex differences in the ergogenic response of acute caffeine intake on muscular strength, power and endurance performance in resistance-trained individuals: A randomized controlled trial. Nutrients, 16(11), 1760. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16111760
Muñoz, A., López-Samanes, Á., Aguilar-Navarro, M., Varillas-Delgado, D., Rivilla-García, J., Moreno-Pérez, V., & Del Coso, J. (2020). Effects of CYP1A2 and ADORA2A genotypes on the ergogenic response to caffeine in professional handball players. Genes (Basel), 11(8), 933. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11080933
Papadakis, Z., Panoutsakopoulos, V., Schwarz, A., & Antonio, J. (2025). Caffeine's influence on vertical jump height: A real-life collegiate student-athlete approach. J Int Soc Sports Nutr, 22(1), 2501063. https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2025.2501063
Pickering, C., & Kiely, J. (2018). Are the current guidelines on caffeine use in sport optimal for everyone? Inter-individual variation in caffeine ergogenicity, and a move towards personalised sports nutrition. Sports Med, 48(1), 7-16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-017-0776-1
Puig-Diví, A., Escalona-Marfil, C., Padullés-Riu, J. M., Busquets, A., Padullés-Chando, X., & Marcos-Ruiz, D. (2019). Validity and reliability of the Kinovea program in obtaining angles and distances using coordinates in 4 perspectives. PLoS One, 14(6), e0216448. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216448
Rohloff, G., Souza, D. B., Ruiz-Moreno, C., Del Coso, J., & Polito, M. D. (2022). Stimulus expectancy and stimulus response of caffeine on 4-km running performance: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled and crossover study. Int J Exerc Sci, 15(2), 645-654. https://doi.org/10.70252/HUWD8703
Santos Junior, E. R. T., de Salles, B. F., Dias, I., Ribeiro, A. S., Simão, R., & Willardson, J. M. (2021). Classification and determination model of resistance training status. Strength Cond J, 43(5), 77-86. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000627
Saunders, B., de Oliveira, L. F., da Silva, R. P., de Salles Painelli, V., Gonçalves, L. S., Yamaguchi, G., Mutti, T., Maciel, E., Roschel, H., Artioli, G. G., & Gualano, B. (2017). Placebo in sports nutrition: A proof-of-principle study involving caffeine supplementation. Scand J Med Sci Sport, 27(11), 1240-1247. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12793
Schubert, M. M., & Astorino, T. A. (2013). A systematic review of the efficacy of ergogenic aids for improving running performance. J Strength Cond Res, 27(6), 1699-1707. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31826cad24
Skypala, J., Hamill, J., Sebera, M., Elavsky, S., Monte, A., & Jandacka, D. (2023). Running-related achilles tendon injury: A prospective biomechanical study in recreational runners. J Appl Biomech, 39(4), 237-245. https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.2022-0221
Valero, F., González-Mohíno, F., & Salinero, J. J. (2024). Belief that caffeine ingestion improves performance in a 6-minute time trial test without affecting pacing strategy. Nutrients, 16(2), 327. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16020327
Van Hooren, B., Jukic, I., Cox, M., Frenken, K. G., Bautista, I., & Moore, I. S. (2024). The relationship between running biomechanics and running economy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Sports Med, 54(5), 1269-1316. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-024-01997-3
Wang, Z., Qiu, B., Gao, J., & Del Coso, J. (2023). Effects of caffeine intake on endurance running performance and time to exhaustion: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients, 15(1), 148. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15010148
Willwacher, S., Kurz, M., Robbin, J., Thelen, M., Hamill, J., Kelly, L., & Mai, P. (2022). Running-related biomechanical risk factors for overuse injuries in distance runners: A systematic review considering injury specificity and the potentials for future research. Sports Med, 52(8), 1863-1877. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01666-3
Wobbrock, J. O., Findlater, L., Gergle, D., & Higgins, J. J. (2011). The aligned rank transform for nonparametric factorial analyses using only ANOVA procedures. Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on human factors in computing systems, USA, 143-146. https://doi.org/10.1145/1978942.1978963