Abstract
This study examined the impact of caffeine ingestion on field hockey skill performance following high-intensity fatigue. Thirteen male hockey players (mean age = 21.1 ± 1.2 years) performed hockey sprint dribble and ball handling tests at rest and after a bout of total body fatigue (90% maximal capacity) following caffeine (5mg kg -1) or placebo ingestion. Sprint dribble times were slower postfatigue compared with rest but were significantly faster postfatigue with caffeine compared with postfatigue with placebo ingestion (P < 0.01). Ball handling scores were higher at rest compared with postfatigue, but scores postfatigue were higher following caffeine than placebo ingestion (P < 0.01). Rating of perceived exhaustion (RPE) was lower (P < 0.01) and readiness to invest physical (P < 0.01) and mental effort (P = 0.01) were significantly higher in the caffeine condition. Caffeine ingestion may therefore be effective in offsetting decrements in skilled performance associated with fatigue.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 25-36 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Research in Sports Medicine |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2012 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- effort
- ergogenic
- physical exertion
- sports skill