Effects of Different Doses of Caffeine on Physical and Cognitive Performance in Female Handball Players

NCT07562256 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: SU-2025-688-CAF
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study investigates how different doses of caffeine affect physical and cognitive performance in female handball players. Caffeine is widely used as a performance-enhancing substance, but its effects may vary depending on the type of performance and the dose consumed. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study, participants complete three experimental conditions: placebo, low-dose caffeine (3 mg/kg), and moderate-dose caffeine (6 mg/kg). Each participant receives all conditions in a randomized order, with sufficient time between sessions to avoid carryover effects. The study evaluates three main performance domains relevant to team sports. Physical performance is assessed using an intermittent running test. Cognitive performance is measured using a reaction time task that evaluates attention and inhibitory control. In addition, a throwing test is used to assess sport-specific motor performance. The main objective is to determine whether caffeine produces dose-dependent improvements and whether these effects differ across physical, cognitive, and technical performance domains. The findings aim to provide practical insights for athletes and coaches regarding optimal caffeine use in team sport settings.

Conditions

Cognitive Performance; Athletic Performance; Healthy Adult Females

Keywords

Caffeine; Dose-response; Physical performance; Cognitive performance; Handball Players

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Flanker Task Reaction Time

  Mean reaction time (ms) during correct trials in the Simplified Eriksen Flanker task, used to assess cognitive processing speed.

  During each experimental session (60 minutes after supplementation)

• Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 Distance

  Total distance covered during the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1, used to assess intermittent running performance.

  During each experimental session (60 minutes after supplementation)

• Throwing Velocity

  Mean ball velocity (km/h) measured during a standardized handball throwing test.

  During each experimental session (60 minutes after supplementation)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Flanker Task Accuracy

  During each experimental session (60 minutes after supplementation)

• Flanker Effect

  During each experimental session (60 minutes after supplementation)

Study Arms (3)

Placebo Condition

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants receive placebo capsules prior to testing in a randomized

Other: Placebo

Low-Dose Caffeine

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive 3 mg/kg caffeine prior to testing in a randomized

Dietary Supplement: Caffeine 3 mg/kg

Moderate-Dose Caffeine

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive 6 mg/kg caffeine prior to testing in a randomized

Dietary Supplement: Caffeine 6 mg/kg

Interventions

Caffeine 3 mg/kg DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Acute ingestion of caffeine at a dose of 3 mg per kilogram of body mass, administered in capsule form 60 minutes prior to testing.

Low-Dose Caffeine

Caffeine 6 mg/kg DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Acute ingestion of caffeine at a dose of 6 mg per kilogram of body mass, administered in capsule form 60 minutes prior to testing.

Moderate-Dose Caffeine

Placebo OTHER

Ingestion of identical capsules containing polydextrose with no active ingredient, administered 60 minutes prior to testing.

Placebo Condition

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Female handball players
• Regular participation in competitive handball training
• Minimum of 3 years of handball training experience
• Free from musculoskeletal injury within the past 6 months

You may not qualify if:

• Known caffeine sensitivity or allergy
• Use of medications or supplements that may affect physical or cognitive performance
• Presence of cardiovascular disease
• Presence of metabolic disorders

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sinop University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Sinop University

Sinop, Central, 57100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Pickering C, Grgic J. Caffeine and Exercise: What Next? Sports Med. 2019 Jul;49(7):1007-1030. doi: 10.1007/s40279-019-01101-0.

  PMID: 30977054 BACKGROUND

• McLellan TM, Caldwell JA, Lieberman HR. A review of caffeine's effects on cognitive, physical and occupational performance. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2016 Dec;71:294-312. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.09.001. Epub 2016 Sep 6.

  PMID: 27612937 BACKGROUND

• Guest NS, VanDusseldorp TA, Nelson MT, Grgic J, Schoenfeld BJ, Jenkins NDM, Arent SM, Antonio J, Stout JR, Trexler ET, Smith-Ryan AE, Goldstein ER, Kalman DS, Campbell BI. International society of sports nutrition position stand: caffeine and exercise performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2021 Jan 2;18(1):1. doi: 10.1186/s12970-020-00383-4.

  PMID: 33388079 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: QUADRUPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 24, 2026
• First Posted: May 1, 2026
• Study Start: January 25, 2026
• Primary Completion: March 10, 2026
• Study Completion: March 20, 2026
• Last Updated: May 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations

TU (1)