Caffeine vs. Carbohydrate Mouth Rinsing in Soccer

NCT06881316 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: UGaziosmanpasa-1
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The present study evaluated the influence of carbohydrate mouth-rinsing (CHO-MR), caffeine mouth-rinsing (CAF-MR), and control-substance mouth rinses on Loughborough soccer passing test (LSPT) performance. The study participants were involved in a randomized, double-blind, repeated-measures design that employed four sessions (familiarization, CHOMR, CAFMR, and CONT) over ten days at a testing facility. Participants took part in six test sessions 72 hours apart. In the CHO group, 6% w/v glucose solution was used. In the CAFF group, 6% w/v glucose solution was used. CONT group, only exercise was performed without any condition.

Conditions

Performance; Soccer; Caffeine and Carbohydrate; Cognitive Function; Technical Skill

Keywords

Performance; caffeine mouth-rinsing; carbohydrate mouth-rinsing; cognitive-motor function; technical skill execution

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Psychophysiological Responses-Heart Rate

  Participants used a Polar H10 heart rate (HR) transmitter synchronized with a Polar V800 watch to track the HR throughout the session. Participants' heart rate mean, heart rate peak and heart rate percentage were recorded.

  From baseline to the end of treatment at 2 weeks

• Psychophysiological Responses-Rating of Perceived Exertion

  Exercise intensity in all test sessions was quantified using the rating of perceived exertion (RPE), which employs a category ratio scale ranging from 6 to 20. This scale has recently been applied in sports psychology to assess effort related to emotions and performance during competitive events.

  From baseline to the end of treatment at 2 weeks

• Psychophysiological Responses-Enjoyment-Brunel mood of states

  all participants completed the exercise enjoyment scale (EES), which comprises eight items rated on a 1-7 Likert scale. This scale has been validated to measure enjoyment in Turkish adolescents and adults. To assess subjective mental fatigue levels, participants were instructed to indicate their degree of mental fatigue on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

  From baseline to the end of treatment at 2 weeks

• Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT)

  Participants were informed that the LSPT was a timed performance assessment and instructed to complete it as expeditiously as possible while minimizing penalties. The LSPT comprises 16 passes: eight short passes to red and white targets 3.5m from the passing zone and eight slightly longer passes to green and blue targets 4m away. Targets were constructed by affixing colored cards (0.3 x 0.6m) to the center of standard gymnasium benches, with a vertical aluminum strip (0.1 x 0.15m) fixed to the target's center for auditory feedback on successful passes. Four randomized passing sequences were generated. An examiner announces that the subsequent target color is released immediately after the previous pass. A stopwatch measured the test duration, commencing when the participant moved the ball into the passing zone and concluding when the final pass contacted the target area.

  From baseline to the end of treatment at 2 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Anthropometric Measurements 1

  Baseline

Other Outcomes (2)

• Anthropometric Measurements 2

  Baseline

• Anthropometric Measurements 3

  Baseline

Study Arms (3)

Caffeine Mouth Rinse Protocol (CAF-MR)

EXPERIMENTAL

Caffeine solutions (1.2% w/v caffeine solution) were prepared in an equivalent saccharin base to ensure indistinguishability within the Falcon Sterile Tube and agitated for 30 seconds on a vortex mixer. Participants were instructed to avoid intense activity 24 hours before testing, observe a 2-hour fast before sessions, and abstain from caffeinated products on test days. The following three sessions were test trials conducted between 15.00 h and 17.00 h at 32°C and 40% humidity.

Other: Caffeine

CHO Mouth Rinse Protocol (CHO-MR)

EXPERIMENTAL

CHO solutions (6% w/v glucose solution) were prepared in an equivalent saccharin base to ensure indistinguishability within the Falcon Sterile Tube and agitated for 30 seconds on a vortex mixer. Participants were instructed to avoid intense activity 24 hours before testing, observe a 2- hour fast before sessions, and abstain from caffeinated products on test days. The following three sessions were test trials conducted between 15.00 h and 17.00 h at 32°C and 40% humidity.

Other: CHO

Control Condition

EXPERIMENTAL

Only exercise was performed without any condition.

Other: Control

Interventions

Caffeine OTHER

Participants' solutions were prepared in separate Falcon Sterile Tubes: LSPTCAFF (1.2% w/v caffeine solution, Nature's Supreme). An MRI was performed before the LSPT. The solution was sweetened with non-caloric artificial sweeteners consisting of sucralose. The caffeine solution was prepared in an equivalent saccharin base and shaken for 30 seconds in a vortex mixer to ensure distinguishability. Participants swished the solution in their mouth for 10 seconds before LSPT and then emptied it back into the container to be weighed again. To ensure that the solutions were not swallowed, the containers were measured before and after all MRs using a full precision balance (Etekcity, USA) accurate to 1 g/0.04 oz.

Caffeine Mouth Rinse Protocol (CAF-MR)

CHO OTHER

Participants' solutions were prepared in separate Falcon Sterile Tubes: LSPTCHO (6% w/ v glucose solution, Protein Ocean, Turkey) An MRI was performed prior to LSPT. The solution was sweetened with non-caloric artificial sweeteners consisting of sucralose. The CHO solution was prepared in an equivalent saccharin base and shaken for 30 seconds in a vortex mixer to ensure distinguishability. Participants swished the solution in their mouth for 10 seconds before LSPT and then emptied it back into the container to be weighed again. To ensure that the solutions were not swallowed, the containers were measured before and after all MRs using a full precision balance (Etekcity, USA) accurate to 1 g/0.04 oz.

CHO Mouth Rinse Protocol (CHO-MR)

Control OTHER

For the control condition, no supplements were taken and only exercise was performed.

Control Condition

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 14 Years - 16 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Being healthy
• Male soccer players
• Willing to maintain the intervention for all sessions

You may not qualify if:

• Being under 14 years old
• Having a chronic disease
• Contraindication for caffeine mouth-rinsing (CAF-MR)
• Contraindication for carbohydrate mouth-rinsing (CHO-MR)
• Contraindications for exercise

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Tokat Gaziosmanpasa Universty

Tokat Province, Turkey, 60000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Soylu Y, Ramazanoglu F, Arslan E, Clemente FM. Effects of mental fatigue on the psychophysiological responses, kinematic profiles, and technical performance in different small-sided soccer games. Biol Sport. 2022 Oct;39(4):965-972. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2022.110746. Epub 2021 Dec 30.

  PMID: 36247954 BACKGROUND

• Soylu Y, Chmura P, Arslan E, Kilit B. The Effects of Carbohydrate Mouth Rinse on Psychophysiological Responses and Kinematic Profiles in Intermittent and Continuous Small-Sided Games in Adolescent Soccer Players: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, and Crossover Trial. Nutrients. 2024 Nov 15;16(22):3910. doi: 10.3390/nu16223910.

  PMID: 39599695 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Caffeine

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Xanthines; Alkaloids; Heterocyclic Compounds; Purinones; Purines; Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring; Heterocyclic Compounds, Fused-Ring

Study Officials

• Ersan Arslan, Doctorate

  +905325452848

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Participants were strictly separated and think their intervention is the main intervention. The same was true for care providers. Outcome assessors were unaware of participant group status and were not allowed to ask correspondingly.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Prof. Dr.

Model Details: Crossover Assignment

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 5, 2025
• First Posted: March 18, 2025
• Study Start: February 10, 2025
• Primary Completion: February 25, 2025
• Study Completion: February 26, 2025
• Last Updated: March 18, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-03

Locations

TU (1)