VIA® INSTANT COFFEE ENHANCES EXPLOSIVE BENCH PRESS PERFORMANCE
M C. Powers Ann Nutr Metab 2013;63(suppl 1):566
There has been debate on whether caffeine intake enhances performance in resistance trained individuals. This study tested a new, highly caffeinated coffee product, Via® instant coffee (VIA). We hypothesized that VIA consumption will increase (p<0.05) muscle explosiveness
in resistance-trained (8.0±4.3 y) college-aged students (n=12; 22.5+4.7 y) compared to themselves in a decaffeinated condition (DCF).
Methods: After 24 hours of dietary control and caffeine abstinence, fasted subjects performed three separate repetitions of
strict Smith bench press under two conditions (VIA, DCF), with trials separated by 48-72 hours. The peak force (FOR),
peak power (POW), peak velocity (VEL), and maximum rate of force development (RFD) of the VIA trial were compared
to DCF. FOR, POW, VEL, and RFD were measured via Ballistic Measurement System (BMS) linear displacement, XPV6+
(Innervations, Inc. South Australia, Australia).
Results: Results suggest a significant increase in FOR (VIA 551.6±263.2 N vs DCF 542.8±262.7 N; p=0.027); POW (VIA 505.2±246.4 W vs
DCF 471.6±233.4 W; p=0.004); VEL (VIA 1.21±0.14 m/s vs DCF 1.12±0.13 m/s; p=0.0008); and RFD (VIA 1546.3±884.9 N/s vs DCF 1409.3±7585.5 N/s; p=0.024).
Conclusions: These preliminary data support the hypothesis that explosive muscle performance increases under the influence of Via® instant coffee.
EFFECTS OF VIA® INSTANT COFFEE ON EXPLOSIVE SQUAT PERFORMANCE
C. Goggin Ann Nutr Metab 2013;63(suppl 1):566
Caffeine is commonly considered a performance enhancer during resistance training. A new, highly caffeinated instant coffee product, Via® (VIA),
was tested in this study. We hypothesized that VIA consumption would increase (p<0.05) explosive squat performance in
resistance-trained (8.0±4.3 years) university students (n=12; 22.5+4.7 y) in a double blind experimental design.
Methods: Fasted subjects performed three repetitions of strict Smith squat under two conditions (VIA, decaffeinated
VIA [DCF]), after 24 hours of dietary control and caffeine abstinence, with trials separated by 48-72 hours. The peak force
(FOR), peak power (POW), peak velocity (VEL), and maximum rate of force development (RFD) of the VIA trial were
compared to DCF. Ballistic Measurement System (BMS) linear displacement, XPV6+ (Innervations, Inc. South Australia,
Australia) was employed.
Results: Results reveal a significant increase in VEL (VIA 1.655±0.223 m/s vs DCF 1.588±0.215 m/s; p=0.006). There was
no significant increase in FOR (VIA 1505.3±281.9 N vs DCF 1518.3±319.9 N; p=0.698); POW (VIA 1927.12±527.9 W vs
DCF 1878.88±565.93 W; p=0.301); RFD (VIA 4327.5±1257.05 N/s vs DCF 4268.83±1141.76 N/s; p=0.793).
Conclusions: These preliminary data suggest enhancement of velocity but no other performance variables after ingesting
VIA. Given other findings from our laboratory, future research should focus on differences between upper and lower body
performance after ingesting caffeinated drinks.