Effects of Caffeine on Elite Weightlifting Performance

NCT07520864 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: UP__Comillas
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 14
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief 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.

Conditions

Athletes

Keywords

dietary supplements; ergogenic aids; strength; caffeine

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Weightlifting competition

  The simulated competition was conducted under official weightlifting conditions, following the standard order of lifts (snatch followed by clean and jerk) and using certified competition equipment. Athletes were allowed three attempts per lift, with up to 5 minutes of rest between attempts and a 10-minute rest period between lifts. Two experienced Level II coaches independently judged each lift, and only those approved by both were considered valid. From this protocol, key variables were derived, including competition strategy (load selected per attempt), competition results (best valid snatch, clean and jerk, and Olympic total), and the number of valid attempts performed in each exercise.

  Four weeks

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Countermovement jump

  2 weeks

• Deep squat jump

  2 weeks

• isometric start position pull

  2 weeks

• Isometric handgrip strength

  2 weeks

• Rating of perceived exertion (RPE)

  2 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Caffeine supplementation

EXPERIMENTAL

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 direct supervision of the researchers to ensure compliance with the ingestion protocol.

Dietary Supplement: Placebo

Placebo comparator

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants ingested an opaque capsule containing an inert substance (cellulose; Guinama, Valencia, Spain). The capsule was consumed with 200 mL of water under direct supervision of the researchers to ensure compliance with the ingestion protocol.

Dietary Supplement: Caffeine

Interventions

Placebo DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

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 supplementation

Caffeine DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

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.

Placebo comparator

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 16 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Possession of a valid weightlifting federation license
• At least two years of weightlifting experience
• Free from injury or illness at the time of testing

You may not qualify if:

• Caffeine intolerance
• Presence of any chronic disease or injury within the month preceding the study
• Habitual caffeine consumption exceeding 100 mg/day
• Use of medications or dietary supplements during the study period

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Pontificia Comillas: lead
• Universidad Rey Juan Carlos: collaborator
• Universidad Francisco de Vitoria: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Universidad Francisco de Vitoria

Madrid, Madrid, 28660, Spain

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Grgic J, Trexler ET, Lazinica B, Pedisic Z. Effects of caffeine intake on muscle strength and power: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2018 Mar 5;15:11. doi: 10.1186/s12970-018-0216-0. eCollection 2018.

  PMID: 29527137 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Caffeine

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD

Model Details: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design was employed. Each participant completed two identical evaluation sessions separated by 7 days to ensure adequate recovery and washout of substances. Both sessions were conducted at the same time of day (10:00 a.m.) at the Spanish National Team Training Facility in Madrid. Participants were instructed to replicate their dietary intake prior to each session, avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours, maintain proper hydration (500 mL of water before arrival), and refrain from consuming supplements or stimulants (e.g., caffeine) for 48 hours before each session and until completing the side-effects questionnaire the following day. In each session, participants ingested an opaque capsule containing either 3 mg·kg-¹ of anhydrous caffeine (HSN, Granada, Spain) or a placebo (cellulose; Guinama, Valencia, Spain), administered with 200 mL of water under researcher supervision. Following ingestion, participants completed their habitua

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 2, 2026
• First Posted: April 9, 2026
• Study Start: March 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: March 15, 2026
• Study Completion: March 25, 2026
• Last Updated: April 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ES (1)