The Effects of Short Term Supplementation of Caffeine on the Vo2max, Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha and Interleukin 1 Beta in a Hot Climate in Military Education Center

The consumption of caffeine supplements has increased among athletes. This supplement has anti-inflammatory effects and can improve athletic performance. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of this supplement on the inflammatory responses and performance of military students in hot environments.
After completing the consent and health forms, 15 healthy male military students participated in the study. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups of caffeine (n=8) and placebo (n=7). They consumed 6 mg/kg of body weight caffeine and maltodextrin as placebo 90 minutes before test. Subjects performed maximal aerobic exercises (20 meter Shuttle Run exhaustive Test) in hot temperatures (38 centigrade) in summer. At the end, the maximal oxygen consumption was calculated by a formula (Number of shuttles with beeps). In order to evaluate TNF-α and IL-1β, 5 cc blood samples were collected from the brachial vein before and after test.
The results showed that caffeine supplements significantly decreased TNF-α (caffeine group: 17.94±5.29, placebo group: 31.38±7.18) and increased VO2max (caffeine group: 41.73±2.86, placebo group: 34.88±1.30). At the same time, no significant differences was seen in IL-1β (caffeine group: 21.52±3.36, placebo group: 23.47±3.16) (P≤0.05).
It can be concluded that the consumption of caffeine supplements 90 minutes before exercise may decrease TNF-α and improve the performance in hot temperatures.