Caffeine Reduces Reaction Time and Improves Performance in Simulated-Contest of Taekwondo

Nutrients

Victor G. F. Santos¹  Vander R. F. Santos¹  Leandro J. C. Felippe¹  Jose W. Almeida¹  Rômulo Bertuzzi²  Maria A. P. D. M. Kiss² 

[1] Sport Science Research Group, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science (CAV), Federal University of Pernambuco, Pernambuco 55608-680, Brazil; E-Mails:;Endurance Performance Research Group, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05371-140, Brazil; E-Mails:

关键词: martial arts;    sport;    supplementation;    ergogenic aid;    time and motion studies;   

DOI  :  10.3390/nu6020637

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeine on reaction time during a specific taekwondo task and athletic performance during a simulated taekwondo contest. Ten taekwondo athletes ingested either 5 mg·kg⁻¹ body mass caffeine or placebo and performed two combats (spaced apart by 20 min). The reaction-time test (five kicks “Bandal Tchagui”) was performed immediately prior to the first combat and immediately after the first and second combats. Caffeine improved reaction time (from 0.42 ± 0.05 to 0.37 ± 0.07 s) only prior to the first combat (P = 0.004). During the first combat, break times during the first two rounds were shorter in caffeine ingestion, followed by higher plasma lactate concentrations compared with placebo (P = 0.029 and 0.014, respectively). During the second combat, skipping-time was reduced, and relative attack times and attack/skipping ratio was increased following ingestion of caffeine during the first two rounds (all P < 0.05). Caffeine resulted in no change in combat intensity parameters between the first and second combat (all P > 0.05), but combat intensity was decreased following placebo (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, caffeine reduced reaction time in non-fatigued conditions and delayed fatigue during successive taekwondo combats.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.