Date of Award
8-2014
Culminating Project Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Exercise Science: M.S.
Department
Kinesiology
College
School of Health and Human Services
First Advisor
David Bacharach
Second Advisor
Glenn Street
Third Advisor
David Robinson
Keywords and Subject Headings
Caffeine, Effects, Reaction Time, Power, Sprint Time
Abstract
This study aimed to determine how caffeine affects reaction time, peak muscle power calculated from vertical jump height, and 30 meter sprint time. Each individual ingested either a placebo (white flower) or 5 mg/kg of caffeine in addition to their estimated daily average caffeine consumption (mg). After 60 minutes of rest, subjects (N=15) performed a reaction time test followed by a vertical jump test and a timed 30m sprint. The dependent measures were reaction time (msec), peak muscle power (watts) calculated from vertical jump height (cm) and 30m sprint times (s). A covariate of habitual or naive caffeine users was also included in the analysis. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed the covariate (habitual vs. naive) was not significant (p=0.23) as well as the treatments (p=0.17) for reaction time. Peak muscle power was also not significant for the covariate (p=0.53) and treatment (p=0.55). Results for 30m sprint however, were significant for the covariate (p=0.006) and treatment (p=0.003). Sprint data were subsequently split into the habitual and naive groups and paired t-tests were performed resulting in significance (p=0.02) for habitual caffeine users and no significance (p=0.70) for naive caffeine users. Reaction time and peak muscle power inferred by vertical jump performance were not different when tested alone; suggesting the increase in sprint time is a result of testing both measures together. When combined, reaction time and peak power were contributing factors to show significance for the sprint; an additional factor being overall muscle power. As an adenosine receptor antagonist, caffeine in an adequate dose, could increase central nervous system excitation thereby increasing muscular firing to improve 30m sprint time.
Recommended Citation
Mahlmeister, Kasara, "Effects of Caffeine on Reaction Time, Peak Muscle Power, and 30 Meter Sprint Time" (2014). Culminating Projects in Kinesiology. 17.
https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/pess_etds/17
