Examining the impact of differing caffeine dosages in conjunction with plyometric training on physiological adaptations in basketball players.

Scientific reports. 2024;14(1):15571

Plain language summary

Optimising explosive power, sprint performance, and maintaining the ability to perform multiple sprints consecutively are considered important objectives of basketball-specific strength and conditioning programmes. Apart from training strategies to optimise athletes’ performance adaptations, many athletes and coaches have incorporated sports supplements into their training routines to enhance their physical capabilities. The study aimed to investigate the effects of ingesting different dosages of caffeine (CAF) prior to plyometric jump training (PJT) on sport-related performance and physiological parameters in male basketball players. This study was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Twenty-four young male basketball players were divided into three groups: one consuming 3 mg/kg body mass caffeine (CAF3), another consuming 6 mg/kg body mass caffeine (CAF6), and a placebo group (PL). The participants underwent a 6-week PJT programme. Results showed that consumption of CAF prior to PJT is a viable strategy for inducing greater adaptive changes than the PJT alone. In addition, 6 mg·kg–1 of CAF supplementation produced more adaptive advantages in both the performance and physiological parameters with greater uniformity of adaptations across participants. Authors concluded that it is advisable for basketball coaches, trainers, and athletes to consider incorporating CAF (at a dosage of 6 mg·kg–1 of body mass) as an ergogenic aid to induce greater adaptive responses and uniform adaptations in the variables related to basketball performance.

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of ingesting different dosages of caffeine (CAF) prior to plyometric jump training (PJT) on sport-related performance and physiological parameters in male basketball players. Twenty-four young athletes were randomly divided into 3 groups and performed 6 weeks of PJT while consuming 3 mg·kg-1 of body mass caffeine (CAF3, n = 8), 6 mg·kg-1 body mass caffeine (CAF6, n = 8) or placebo (PL; n = 8) one hour prior to each training session. Before and after the 6-week PJT, the players were evaluated for field-based basketball-specific performance measures (vertical jump, 20-m sprint, Illinois change of direction speed [CODS], and maximal strength) and lab-based physiological (aerobic capacity and anaerobic power) parameters. CAF3, CAF6, and PL groups demonstrated significant improvements in vertical jump (ES = 1.07, 1.45, and 1.1, respectively), 20-m sprint (ES = - 0.50, - 0.61, and - 0.36), change of direction performance (ES = - 1.22, - 1.26, and - 1.09), maximal strength (ES = 1.68, 2.29, and 1.17), maximum oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) (ES = 1.09, 1.59, and 0.92), and peak (ES = 1.82, 1.85, and 0.82) and average power output (ES = 1.39, 1.32, and 1.07) after 6 weeks of training. Comparative analysis of individual adaptive responses to training indicated that the CAF6 led to insignificantly greater effects in vertical jump (ES = 1.45), maximal strength (ES = 2.29), and V̇O2max (ES = 1.59) with lower residuals in individual changes and lower coefficient of variations (CV) in mean group changes. Regarding sprint and CODS performance, both experimental groups indicated similar changes, residuals in individual changes, and CVs in mean group changes. Overall, consuming 6 mg·kg-1 body mass caffeine induces superior adaptations in aerobic fitness, anaerobic power, and sport-specific performance measures, with lower inter-individual variability in the adaptations and more homogenized changes over the training period.

Lifestyle medicine

Fundamental Clinical Imbalances : Digestive, absorptive and microbiological ; Structural
Patient Centred Factors : Triggers/Caffeine supplementation
Environmental Inputs : Diet ; Physical exercise
Personal Lifestyle Factors : Nutrition ; Exercise and movement
Functional Laboratory Testing : Not applicable
Bioactive Substances : Caffeine

Methodological quality

Jadad score : 4
Allocation concealment : Yes

Metadata

Nutrition Evidence keywords : Caffeine ; Training ; Supplements ; Anaerobic