Caffeinated Gel Ingestion Enhances Jump Performance, Muscle Strength, and Power in Trained Men

We aimed to explore the effects of caffeinated gel ingestion on neuromuscular performance in resistance-trained men. The participants ( n = 17; mean ± standard deviation (SD): age 23 ± 2 years, height 183 ± 5 cm, body mass 83 ± 11 kg) completed two testing conditions that involved ingesting a caffeinated gel (300 mg of caffeine) or placebo. The testing outcomes included: (1) vertical jump height in the squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ); (2) knee extension and flexion peak torque and average power at angular velocities of 60°·s ？1 and 180°·s ？1; (3) barbell velocity in the bench press with loads corresponding to 50%, 75%, and 90% of one-repetition maximum (1RM); and (4) peak power output in a test on a rowing ergometer. Compared to the placebo, caffeine improved: (1) SJ ( p = 0.039; Cohen’s d effect size ( d) = 0.18; +2.9%) and CMJ height ( p = 0.011; d = 0.18; +3.3%); (2) peak torque and average power in the knee extensors at both angular velocities ( d ranged from 0.21 to 0.37; percent change from +3.5% to +6.9%), peak torque ( p = 0.034; d = 0.24; +4.6%), and average power ( p = 0.015; d = 0.32; +6.7%) at 60°·s ？1 in the knee flexors; (3) barbell velocity at 50% 1RM ( p = 0.021; d = 0.33; +3.5%), 75% 1RM ( p < 0.001; d = 0.42; +5.4%), and 90% 1RM ( p < 0.001; d = 0.59, +12.0%). We conclude that the ingestion of caffeinated gels may acutely improve vertical jump performance, strength, and power in resistance-trained men. View Full-Tex