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Effect of Pre-Exercise Caffeine Intake on Endurance Performance and Core Temperature Regulation During Exercise in the Heat: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

PMID 35616851 (2022): caffeine — Time-trial performance (study note for endurance athletes).

Last updated/Feb 23, 2026, 10:34 PM

Study note • PMID 35616851

Effect of Pre-Exercise Caffeine Intake on Endurance Performance and Core Temperature Regulation During Exercise in the Heat: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)2022 • DOI 10.1007/s40279-022-01692-1
Evidence B83/100
Action 2: Consider

Worth trying if it fits your goal and context.

ELI5

In plain language

To use a meta-analytical approach to determine the effect of pre-exercise caffeine intake on EP and C(T) in the heat. (systematic review / meta-analysis; trained participants).

In this systematic review / meta-analysis, the abstract reports associations involving Time-trial performance (not necessarily causation). Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: To use a meta-analytical approach to determine the effect of pre-exercise caffeine intake on EP and C(T) in the heat.
  • In this systematic review / meta-analysis, the abstract reports associations involving Time-trial performance (not necessarily causation).
  • Population: trained participants.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 6 mg/kg • 30 min • 1 h • 70 min.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: caffeine.
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 6 mg/kg • 30 min • 1 h • 70 min.
  • Outcomes: Time-trial performance.
  • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it helps, and who should skip it

Who it helps

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

Who should skip

  • 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: systematic review / meta-analysis (placebo-controlled).
  • Population: trained participants.
  • Outcomes measured: Time-trial performance.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 6 mg/kg • 30 min • 1 h • 70 min.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 35616851 (2022) — Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.).

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

Respectively six and 12 studies examined caffeine's impact on EP and C(T), representing 52 and 205 endurance-trained individuals.

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

Limits

Limitations & bias

  • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
  • Reviews and consensus statements mix protocols and populations; recommendations may not match your exact constraints.
  • 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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Sources