title: Chronic ingestion of a low dose of caffeine induces tolerance to the performance benefits of caffeine.
abstract: This study examined effects of 4 weeks of caffeine supplementation on endurance performance. Eighteen low-habitual caffeine consumers (<75 mg · day-1) were randomly assigned to ingest caffeine (1.5-3.0 mg · kg-1day-1; titrated) or placebo for 28 days. Groups were matched for age, body mass, V̇O2peakand Wmax(P > 0.05). Before supplementation, all participants completed one V̇O2peaktest, one practice trial and 2 experimental trials (acute 3 mg · kg-1caffeine [precaf] and placebo [testpla]). During the supplementation period a second V̇O2peaktest was completed on day 21 before a final, acute 3 mg · kg-1caffeine trial (postcaf) on day 29. Trials consisted of 60 min cycle exercise at 60% V̇O2peakfollowed by a 30 min performance task. All participants produced more external work during the precaf trial than testpla, with increases in the caffeine (383.3 ± 75 kJ vs. 344.9 ± 80.3 kJ; Cohen's d effect size [ES] = 0.49; P = 0.001) and placebo (354.5 ± 55.2 kJ vs. 333.1 ± 56.4 kJ; ES = 0.38; P = 0.004) supplementation group, respectively. This performance benefit was no longer apparent after 4 weeks of caffeine supplementation (precaf: 383.3 ± 75.0 kJ vs. postcaf: 358.0 ± 89.8 kJ; ES = 0.31; P = 0.025), but was retained in the placebo group (precaf: 354.5 ± 55.2 kJ vs. postcaf: 351.8 ± 49.4 kJ; ES = 0.05; P > 0.05). Circulating caffeine, hormonal concentrations and substrate oxidation did not differ between groups (all P > 0.05). Chronic ingestion of a low dose of caffeine develops tolerance in low-caffeine consumers. Therefore, individuals with low-habitual intakes should refrain from chronic caffeine supplementation to maximise performance benefits from acute caffeine ingestion.
authors.affiliation: a School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences , Loughborough University , Leicestershire , UK.
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beaumont
authors.affiliation: a School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences , Loughborough University , Leicestershire , UK.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cordery
authors.affiliation: a School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences , Loughborough University , Leicestershire , UK.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Funnell
authors.affiliation: a School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences , Loughborough University , Leicestershire , UK.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mears
authors.affiliation: a School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences , Loughborough University , Leicestershire , UK.
authors.forename: Lewis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: James
authors.affiliation: b Department of Human Physiology and Sports Medicine , Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Brussels , Belgium.
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002110:Caffeine
keywords: Fatigue; exercise metabolism; habituation; stimulants; supplements