Caffeine reverts loss of muscular performance during the early-follicular phase in resistance-trained naturally menstruating women. Issue 14 (18th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Santana, Ottavio; Vieira-Cavalcante, Victor; Caetano Paulo, Anderson; Rodacki, Cintia; Bertuzzi, Romulo; Lima-Silva, Adriano Eduardo; Cristina-Souza, Gislaine
• Is Part Of: Journal of sports sciences. Volume 40:Issue 14(2022)
• Page Start: 1592
• Page End: 1601
• Publication Date: 2022-07-18
• Subjects: Menstrual cycle -- supplementation -- muscle strength -- muscle power -- muscular endurance; Sports -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 612.044
• DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2022.2094560
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-0414

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of caffeine ingestion on muscular performance during the early-follicular and mid-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Fourteen resistance-trained naturally menstruating women performed countermovement jump (CMJ), maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), one-repetition maximum (1-RM), and repetitions-to-failure (RF) at 80% of 1-RM in the half-squat exercise, in early-follicular and mid-luteal phases, after placebo or caffeine ingestion. The early-follicular and mid-luteal phases were identified via calendar-based counting method. The MVIC was lower in the early-follicular than mid-luteal phase (–6.2 ± 15.2 N, p < 0.05) and higher with caffeine than placebo ingestion regardless of the menstrual cycle phase (+16.8 ± 26.7 N, p < 0.05). The magnitude of gains (supplement x phase interaction, p < 0.026) in 1-RM, CMJ, and RF with caffeine ingestion was higher in the early-follicular (+16.6 ± 7.1 kg, +2.5 ± 1.6 cm, and +4.5 ± 2.6 repetitions, respectively) than in the mid-luteal phase (+7.7 ± 4.8 kg, +1.5 ± 2.0 cm, and +2.4 ± 3.1 repetitions, respectively). In conclusion, the greater ergogenic effect of caffeine during the early-follicular phase supports its use to mitigate the decline in muscular performance in this phase of the menstrual cycle.