Effects of Acute Consumption of Caffeinated Chewing Gum on Performance of Elite Judo Athletes

Filip-Stachnik, A., Krawczyk, R., Krzysztofik, M., et al. Effect of acute ingestion of caffeinated chewing gum on the performance of elite judo athletes. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 18, 49 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-021-00448-y

Commentary

Although previous studies have seen a positive effect of acute ingestion of capsules containing 4-9 mg of caffeine per kg of body weight on judo performance, no previous studies have tested the efficacy of caffeinated chewing gum as a form of caffeine administration.

This study evaluated the effect of acute ingestion of caffeinated chewing gum on the results of the Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT).

Nine male elite judo athletes (23.7 ± 4.4 years, 73.5 ± 7.4 kg) of the Polish national team participated in a randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled, double-blind experiment.

Participants were moderate caffeine consumers (3.1 mg/kg/day) and performed the following three identical experimental sessions.

(a) Consumption of two chewing gums without caffeine (P + P).

(b) Caffeinated chewing gum and placebo chewing gum (C + P; ~2.7 mg/kg).

(c) Two caffeinated chewing gums (C + C; ~5.4 mg/kg).

Each gum was ingested 15 min before performing two special judo fitness tests (SJFT) separated by 4 min of combat activity.

As a result, the total number of throws did not differ between P+P, C+P, and C+C. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA showed no significant substance x time interaction effects as well as no main effects of caffeine on SJFT performance, SJFT index, blood lactate concentration, heart rate, or perceived exercise ratings.