title: Effects of caffeine chewing gum on race performance and physiology in male and female cyclists.
abstract: This investigation reports the effects of chewing caffeinated gum on race performance with trained cyclists. Twenty competitive cyclists completed two 30-km time trials that included a maximal effort 0.2-km sprint each 10-km. Caffeine (~3-4 mg · kg(-1)) or placebo was administered double-blind via chewing gum at the 10-km point following completion of the first sprint. Measures of power output, oxygen uptake, heart rate, lactate and perceived exertion were taken at set intervals during the time trial. Results indicated no substantial differences in any measured variables between caffeine and placebo conditions during the first 20-km of the time trial. Caffeine gum did however lead to substantial enhancements (mean ± 90% confidence limits (CLs)) in mean power during the final 10-km (3.8% ± 2.3%), and sprint power at 30-km (4.0% ± 3.6%). The increases in performance over the final 10-km were associated with small increases in heart rate and blood lactate (effect size of 0.24 and 0.28, respectively). There were large inter-individual variations in the response to caffeine, and apparent gender related differences in sprint performance. Chewing caffeine gum improves mean and sprint performance power in the final 10-km of a 30-km time trial in male and female cyclists most likely through an increase in nervous system activation.
authors.affiliation: a EIT NZ, Health and Sport , Taradale , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paton
authors.forename: Vitor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Luiz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guglielmo
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002638:Chewing Gum; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010465:Perception; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D002638:Chewing Gum; D019344:Lactic Acid; D002110:Caffeine
keywords: ergogenic; heart rate; lactate; sprint; time trial