The Ergogenic Effects of Caffeine Intake in Sport
A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Sports Nutrition".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 May 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: supplementation for health; wellness and performance; exercise performance; paediatric exercise science; workplace wellbeing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Caffeine remains one of the most widely consumed ergogenic aids across all levels of sport, with up to 74% of elite athletes reportedly using it to enhance performance, especially in cardiorespiratory endurance disciplines. Its popularity stems from its accessibility, minimal side effects, and efficacy at low-to-moderate doses (1-6 mg·kg⁻1 body mass). Mechanistically, adenosine receptor antagonism is considered the primary driver of its performance-enhancing effects, although other pathways such as calcium and fatty acid mobilisation may also contribute. Despite consistent benefits in endurance contexts, results in high-intensity, short-duration sports are more variable. Time-trial protocols offer more sport-relevant insights than time-to-exhaustion tests, yet variability in outcomes persists. Emerging questions around genetic responsiveness, habitual use, youth sports, and individual variability remain unanswered. We invite researchers to contribute to this evolving field—particularly through robust, sport-specific trials and updated meta-analyses, systematic reviews and/or umbrella reviews—to better understand caffeine’s nuanced ergogenic profile and its implications for athletes and practitioners alike. What does the future hold for this ubiquitous pharmacological agent?
Prof. Dr. Ajmol Ali
Dr. Kaio Vitzel
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- time trial
- muscle endurance
- sprint
- anaerobic
- cardiorespiratory endurance
- safety
- optimum dose
- side effects
- genetic variability
- habituation
- youth
- sex differences
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