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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Conducting Maximal and Submaximal Endurance Exercise Testing to Measure Physiological and Biological Responses to Acute Exercise in Humans
Published on: October 17, 2018
Physiological and cognitive responses to caffeine during repeated, high-intensity exercise
Melissa J Crowe1, Anthony S Leicht, Warwick L Spinks
1Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia.
Caffeine supplementation did not enhance repeated anaerobic cycling performance in athletes. In fact, caffeine intake may negatively impact anaerobic exercise by increasing blood lactate and slowing power output.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Nutrition
- Human Performance
Background:
- Caffeine is a widely used ergogenic aid.
- Its effects on repeated anaerobic exercise remain debated.
- Understanding caffeine's impact is crucial for athletes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ergogenic effects of caffeine on repeated anaerobic cycling.
- To assess caffeine's influence on cognitive, metabolic, and performance parameters.
- To determine if caffeine provides benefits or detriments to anaerobic exercise.
Main Methods:
- Double-blind, randomized, crossover study with 17 participants.
- Caffeine (6 mg/kg), placebo, and control conditions were compared.
- Cognitive tests, blood analysis, and maximal cycling bouts were performed.
Main Results:
- Caffeine ingestion increased plasma caffeine levels but did not improve cognitive or most blood parameters.
- A significant decrease in resting plasma potassium was observed with caffeine.
- Caffeine led to higher blood lactate and slower time to peak power in the second exercise bout.
Conclusions:
- Caffeine demonstrated no ergogenic effect on repeated maximal cycling performance.
- Potential detrimental effects include increased blood lactate and reduced power output.
- Athletes should exercise caution when using caffeine for anaerobic exercise.
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