The Investigation of Effect of Acute Consumption of Caffeine on Strength, Muscular Endurance and Anaerobic Power in Young Female Athletes

The ergogenic effect of caffeine on some anaerobic exercises has not yet been known. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acute intake of caffeine on the upper body and lower body muscular strength, muscular endurance and anaerobic power in young female athletes. 12 female young athlete students (mean weight 59.255.67 kg, height 166.425.03 cm, age 222 years and BMI 21.171.13 kg/m2) volunteered to participate in this study. In a double blind and randomized fashion, subjects consumed caffeine (6 mg/kg body weight) and placebo. One hour after ingesting either caffeine or placebo, muscular strength was measured by onerepetitionmaximum (1RM) in bench press and leg press, muscular endurance by repetitions at bench press and leg press with a weight of 60% of 1RM and anaerobic power by RAST test. The measured variables included upper and lower body muscular strength, upper and lower body muscular endurance, maximum power, minimum power, mean power and fatigue index. Paired t test was used to examine the difference between caffeine and placebo. The Results showed a significant increase of strength in bench press (P=0.012) and a positive effect on maximum power (P=0.028) and fatigue index (P=0.016). The caffeine had no significant effect on strength of leg press, muscular endurance of bench press and leg press, minimum power and mean power (p>0.05). It seems that a moderate dose of caffeine may be effective for enhancing some strength and short-term performance in young female athletes.