Effect of Caffeine Intake on Pain Perception During High-Intensity Exercise

in International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism

Click name to view affiliation

Todd A. Astorino
Search for other papers by Todd A. Astorino in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Michael N. Terzi
Search for other papers by Michael N. Terzi in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Daniel W. Roberson
Search for other papers by Daniel W. Roberson in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
Timothy R. Burnett
Search for other papers by Timothy R. Burnett in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access

Caffeine has been shown to reduce leg-muscle pain during submaximal cycle ergometry, as well as in response to eccentric exercise. However, less is known about its analgesic properties during non-steadystate, high-intensity exercise. The primary aim of this study was to examine the effect of 2 doses of caffeine on leg pain and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during repeated bouts of high-intensity exercise. Fifteen active men (age 26.4 ± 3.9 yr) completed 2 bouts of 40 repetitions of “all-out” knee extension and flexion of the dominant leg at a contraction velocity equal to 180°/s. Before each trial, subjects abstained from caffeine intake and intense exercise for 48 hr. Over 3 days separated by 48 hr, subjects ingested 1 of 3 treatments (5 mg/kg or 2 mg/kg of anhydrous caffeine or placebo) in a randomized, single-blind, counterbalanced, crossover design. Leg-muscle pain and RPE were assessed during and after exercise using established categorical scales. Across all treatments, pain perception was significantly increased (p < .05) during exercise, as well as from Bout 1 to 2, yet there was no effect (p > .05) of caffeine on pain perception or RPE. Various measures of muscle function were improved (p < .05) with a 5-mg/kg caffeine dose vs. the other treatments. In the 5-mg/kg trial, it is plausible that subjects were able to perform better with similar levels of pain perception and exertion.

Astorino, Terzi, and Roberson are with the Dept. of Kinesiology, California State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, CA. Burnett is with the Dept. of Kinesiology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA.

  • Collapse
  • Expand