Exploring The Effects Of Caffeine On The Sprint Performance Of University Football Players

Abstract

Caffeine has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, which can reduce fatigue and drowsiness. In addition, it has been shown to improve sports performance. In this current study, researchers used a randomized, placebo-controlled single-blind parallel groups trial to investigate the effects of caffeine on the sprint performance of male university football players aged 18 to 25 years in the Multan zone of South Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 120 players were divided into four groups of 30 each, with each group receiving a different dose of caffeine in capsule form. Group A received 3 mg-kg^-1, Group B received 6 mg-kg^-1 and Group C received 9 mg-kg^-1, while Group D was given a placebo 0mg-kg^-1. Sprint performance were measured through 20m Sprint test before and after the administration of caffeine and data analysis was conducted using GraphPad Prism version 6.0 software, with statistical tests like paired sample ‘‘t’’-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation being applied to determine the relationship of each dose of caffeine on sprint performance. In our study, all three study groups 3, 6 and 9 mg/kg^-1 presented conspicuous effects of caffeine on the 20-m sprint test. Overall results of this study showed that high doses 9 mg/kg^-1 had prominent effects on the Sprint performance of university football players. Pearson correlation coefficient results showed that there was a positive significant correlation between Group B 6mg Pre and Group C 9mg Post. Moreover, high doses of caffeine do more to improve the sprint performance of university football players.