The Effect of Acute Caffeine Consumption on Plasma Creatine Kinase (CK) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) after a Session of Resistance Exercise in Male Athletes

Some evidence indicates that caffeine consumption before exercise may affect muscular damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeine consumption (6mg/kg) following a session of resistance exercise on creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in active men. 20 male physical education students (age 21.22±1.25 years, height 175.13±6.88 cm, weight 69.22±7.10 kg and BMI 22.21±2.21 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to placebo (n=10) and caffeine (n=10) groups. One hour before resistance exercise, subjects received caffeine or placebo in a double-blind manner. Resistance exercise included a circuit exercise in 5 stations (each station 3 sets); each set was performed by 75% 1RM in 8 to 10 repetitions. Blood samples were collected before, immediately after, 24 and 48 hours after the exercise. The results showed a significant increase in enzyme levels of CK (P=0.013) and LDH (P=0.001). However, these changes were not different between the two groups (P≥0.05). It seems that caffeine (6mg/kg) consumption before resistance exercise cannot reduce muscle damage indexes in blood.