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Study note

Effect of a moderate caffeine dose on endurance cycle performance and thermoregulation during prolonged exercise in the heat.

PMID 28420550 (2017): caffeine — Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

Updated Jul 22, 2026

Read the study note

Study note • PMID 28420550

Effect of a moderate caffeine dose on endurance cycle performance and thermoregulation during prolonged exercise in the heat.

Journal of science and medicine in sport2017 • DOI 10.1016/j.jsams.2017.03.017

How to use this page

This note summarizes one study record. Check the participants, methods, results, and limitations before applying it to training.

  • Design signal: randomized trial.
  • Population relevance: mixed/unclear athlete specificity.
  • Consistency: single-study evidence.
  • Practical recommendation depends on tolerance, context, and whether it protects training consistency.

ELI5

In plain language

This study investigated the influence of a moderate caffeine dose on endurance cycle performance and thermoregulation during prolonged exercise in high ambient temperature. (randomized trial; recreational participants).

The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Time-trial performance under the tested conditions. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: This study investigated the influence of a moderate caffeine dose on endurance cycle performance and thermoregulation during prolonged exercise in high ambient temperature.
  • The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Time-trial performance under the tested conditions.
  • Population: recreational participants.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 60min • 30min.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: caffeine (vs placebo).
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 60min • 30min.
  • Outcomes: Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion.
  • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it may help, and who should be cautious

Who it helps

  • Athletes similar to the study population (recreational participants) working on supplements.
  • Athletes who can measure Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should be cautious

  • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
  • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.

Methods

What the study actually did

  • Design: randomized trial (double-blind, placebo-controlled).
  • Population: recreational participants.
  • Comparator: placebo.
  • Outcomes measured: Time-trial performance, Time to exhaustion.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 60min • 30min.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 28420550 (2017) — Journal of science and medicine in sport.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

Performance was enhanced (Cohen's d effect size=0.22) in the caffeine trial (363.8+/-47.6kJ) compared with placebo (353.0+/-49.0kJ; p=0.004).

Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.

Limits

Limitations and bias

  • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
  • Single studies often don’t generalize to your event, history, and training load; treat results as a starting point.
  • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
  • This is performance information, not medical advice.

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