The effect of mouth rinsing with different concentrations of caffeine solutions on reaction time. Issue 8 (18th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Virdinli, Seda Gul; Kutlay, Emine; Yuzbasioglu, Yasin; Vollaard, Niels B.J.; Rudarli Nalcakan, Gulbin
• Is Part Of: Journal of sports sciences. Volume 40:Issue 8(2022)
• Page Start: 928
• Page End: 933
• Publication Date: 2022-04-18
• Subjects: Caffeine -- mouth rinsing -- reaction time -- cognitive function; Sports -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 612.044
• DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2022.2038893
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-0414

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Caffeine mouth rinsing (CAF-MR) has been shown to improve reaction time (RT). CAF-MR studies have generally used 1.2% CAF concentrations, but the effect of using different concentrations is unknown. Therefore, we compared the effect of different concentrations of CAF-MR on RT. Forty-five trained male athletes (age: 18 ± 3 y) volunteered to participate in this double-blind, randomized controlled crossover study. Participants completed five testing sessions (Control, Placebo (water)-MR, and 1.2%, 1.8%, and 2.4% CAF-MR), with hand and foot RTs assessed immediately after MR. All CAF-MR conditions resulted in significantly faster hand and foot RT compared to Control and Placebo (all p < 0.001, except for foot RT with 1.8% CAF-MR vs. Placebo: NS). For both hand and foot RT, 1.2% and 1.8% CAF-MR did not significantly differ, but RT for 2.4% CAF-MR was significantly faster than both (p < 0.001). Improvements in RT for 2.4% CAF-MR vs. Placebo were 22% for hand RT and 21% for foot RT. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that higher CAF-MR concentrations than those typically used can result in greater improvements in RT. This has implications for the practical use of CAF-MR to enhance performance in sports in which optimal RT is a factor of success.