Time Course of Jump Recovery and Performance After Velocity-Based Priming and Concurrent Caffeine Intake

Purpose: Morning priming exercise and caffeine intake have been previously suggested as an effective strategy to increase within-day performance and readiness. However, the concurrent effect of both strategies is unknown. The present research aimed to map the within-day time course of recovery and performance of countermovement jump (CMJ) outcomes, kinetics, and strategy and readiness after priming alone and in combination with caffeine. Methods: Eleven participants performed a control, a priming exercise (Priming) and a priming with concurrent caffeine intake (PrimingCaf) in a double-blind randomized, crossover design. CMJ metrics were assessed before, post, and 2 h, 4 h, and 6 h after each condition while readiness was assessed at 6 h. Results: Perceived physical, mental performance capability and activation balance were higher at 6 h after Priming and PrimingCaf conditions. Immediate reductions in jump height (5.45 to 6.25%; p < .046), concentric peak velocity (2.40 to 2.59%; p < .041) and reactive strength index-modified (RSImod) (9.06 to 9.23% p < .051) after Priming and PrimingCaf were observed, being recovered at 2 h (p > .99). Concentric impulse was restored in PrimingCaf (p > .754; d = -0.03 to-0.08) despite lower concentric mean force/BM (p < .662; d = -0.18 to -0.26) as concentric duration was increased (p > .513; d = 0.15 to 0.21). Individual analysis revealed that some participants benefit from both strategies as they showed increases in jump height over the smallest worthwhile change while others did not. Conclusions: Psychological readiness was increased after both priming conditions at 6 h; however, it seems necessary to consider individual changes to achieve the positive effects of the priming or the priming in combination with caffeine on jumping outcomes.