Caffeine consumption within British fencing athletes

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Nutritional Science
• Human Performance

Background:

• Caffeine's ergogenic effects are established, but its specific use patterns and awareness among fencers remain under-researched.
• Understanding caffeine habits is crucial for optimizing performance and ensuring athlete safety in fencing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate caffeine consumption habits, motivations, and educational levels among British fencers.
• To identify potential risks associated with caffeine supplementation in this athletic population.

Main Methods:

• A web-based questionnaire was administered to 136 British fencers.
• Data collected included self-reported caffeine intake, reasons for use, timing of consumption, and awareness of supplementation guidelines.

Main Results:

• 94.1% of fencers habitually consumed caffeine, primarily for taste (93.8%) and cognitive enhancement (30.1% during training/competition).
• Average daily intake was 183.4 ± 137.5 mg, with higher consumption noted in specific age groups (p < 0.05).
• Education on caffeine supplementation was low (25.7%), and 35% reported experiencing caffeine toxicity symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Caffeine supplementation is prevalent in fencing, mainly for cognitive benefits, but often without adequate understanding of safe usage.
• There is a clear need for targeted educational interventions for fencers regarding caffeine consumption to mitigate health risks and anti-doping rule violations.