Caffeine Increases Rate of Torque Development Without Affecting Maximal Torque

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of caffeine on peak torque (PT), rate of torque development (RTD), and muscle activation in college-age men.

Methods

Fifteen men (23.3 ± 2.2 years, 177.6 ± 8.7 cm, 90.3 ± 19.1 kg) volunteered to participate in this study. During each of two test sessions, maximal leg extension PT and RTD were determined and electromyographic (EMG) and mechanomyographic (MMG) signals were collected to examine electrical and mechanical aspects of muscle activation, respectively. Participants also performed the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) for the determination of peak power (PP), mean power (MP), and fatigue percentage (FP). For the first test session, participants were randomly assigned to ingest either a caffeinated drink (6 mg/kg) or a placebo 1 h prior to testing. The second test session was identical to the first, but the drink not previously administered was ingested prior to testing.

Results

The results indicated there were no significant effects of caffeine on PT, PP, MP, FP, or EMG and MMG measures. However, RTD was positively affected by caffeine (856.4 ± 246.4 Nm/s) compared to the placebo condition (710.9 ± 267.9 Nm/s).

Conclusions

These results suggest that caffeine can be an effective aid for sport activities requiring maximal rates of force or torque development during very short time periods.