Caffeine intake enhances peak oxygen uptake and performance during high-intensity cycling exercise in moderate hypoxia
European Journal of Applied Physiology Volume 124, pages 537–549, (2024) Tze-Huan Lei
Purpose
We investigated whether caffeine consumption can enhance peak oxygen uptake by increasing peak ventilation during an incremental cycling test, and subsequently enhance time to exhaustion (TTE) during high-intensity cycling exercise in moderate normobaric hypoxia.
Methods
We conducted a double-blind, placebo cross-over design study. Sixteen recreational male endurance athletes (age: 20 ± 2 years,
: 55.6 ± 3.6 ml/kg/min, peak power output: 318 ± 40 W) underwent an incremental cycling test and a TTE test at 80%
(derived from the placebo trial) in moderate normobaric hypoxia (fraction of inspired O2: 15.3 ± 0.2% corresponding to a simulated altitude of ~ 2500 m) after consuming either a moderate dose of caffeine (6 mg/kg) or a placebo.
Results
Caffeine consumption resulted in a higher peak ventilation [159 ± 21 vs. 150 ± 26 L/min; P < 0.05; effect size (ES) = 0.31].
(3.58 ± 0.44 vs. 3.47 ± 0.47 L/min; P < 0.01; ES = 0.44) and peak power output (308 ± 44 vs. 302 ± 44 W; P = 0.02, ES = 0.14) were higher following caffeine consumption than during the placebo trial. During the TTE test, caffeine consumption enhanced minute ventilation (P = 0.02; ES = 0.28) and extended the TTE (426 ± 74 vs. 358 ± 75 s; P < 0.01, ES = 0.91) compared to the placebo trial. There was a positive correlation between the percent increase of
following caffeine consumption and the percent increase in TTE (r = 0.49, P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Moderate caffeine consumption stimulates breathing and aerobic metabolism, resulting in improved performance during incremental and high-intensity endurance exercises in moderate normobaric hypoxia.