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Effects of Caffeine on Elite Weightlifting Performance
Sponsor: Universidad Pontificia Comillas
Summary
Weightlifting is a high-intensity strength-power sport where performance depends on maximal force, power output, and technical execution in the snatch and clean and jerk. Due to the sport's short-duration efforts, the ATP-PCr system predominates, with glycolysis supporting recovery between attempts. Given these demands, ergogenic aids are commonly used. While some supplements show limited or inconsistent evidence, caffeine stands out as one of the most well-supported for enhancing strength and power, mainly through central nervous system stimulation. Although its benefits are well documented in other strength sports, research specifically in Olympic weightlifting is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of caffeine on neuromuscular and competition performance in elite weightlifters, hypothesizing a positive effect.
Official title: Is Caffeine the Secret Ingredient for Elite Weightlifting Performance? It Helps-But Don't Expect Miracles
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
16 Years - 35 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
14
Start Date
2026-03-01
Completion Date
2026-03-25
Last Updated
2026-04-09
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Placebo
Participants ingested an identical opaque capsule containing an inert substance (cellulose; Guinama, Valencia, Spain). The capsule was also consumed with 200 mL of water under researcher supervision. This condition served as a control to compare against the caffeine condition while maintaining blinding.
Caffeine
Participants ingested an opaque capsule containing 3 mg·kg-¹ of anhydrous caffeine (HSN, Granada, Spain). The capsule was consumed with 200 mL of water under researcher supervision to ensure compliance. This condition was designed to evaluate the ergogenic effects of caffeine on neuromuscular and weightlifting performance.
Locations (1)
Universidad Francisco de Vitoria
Madrid, Madrid, Spain